In the world of college football, Alabama has created a dynasty. Nick Saban, Alabama’s legendary coach, recorded his sixth national championship (his fifth with Alabama) on Monday night.
Another legend may have been born on Monday night as well, freshman QB Tua Tagovailoa, who cemented the epic comeback when he replaced Jalen Hurts as the quarterback in the second half. Alabama was trailing 13-0 at halftime when Coach Saban retooled his winning strategy in the locker room.
Can a comeback be planned, or is it a twist of fate, a moment in reality where statistics and odds are useless and every play seems like divine intervention?
Coach Saban and Tua Tagovailoa are the celebrated heroes, the men that the media will lift above mortal standards in order to illustrate their accolades. But in reality, every single member of the squad must believe in their ability to defeat the odds. A team must function as an unstoppable unit, a force so powerful that something as trusted as statistics and odds seem like fairytales written in a Dr. Seuss book.
College football bowl games have set the stage for some of the best spectacles known to man for decades. This year's Championship is simply the tip of the iceberg when compared to some absolutely insane comebacks - like the 2016 Alamo Bowl where TCU matched the biggest comeback in bowl history with a triple overtime victory against Oregon. It’s those moments that defines college football, the mix of euphoria and fear that tingles down your spine while watching young men play as if their lives are on the line.
NFL players get that check, win or lose. Matthew Stafford has never won a Superbowl, yet he’s set to earn almost $162 million during his current contractual period. For these college kids though, a championship means everything. There's no million dollar check, just the honor and the glory. The attitude of winning over getting paid may be the foundation of the comeback mind state and the catalyst for greatness.
These are some of the most memorable comebacks in NCAA College Bowl history.
TCU vs Oregon: Alamo Bowl
Date: January 2nd, 2016
Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.
TCU was trailing Oregon 31-0 at halftime. However, after Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. got injured, the Ducks were unable to score for the entire second half. As a result, TCU stormed back and tied Oregon, forcing an overtime battle for the ages.
Both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime, and field goals in the second overtime. In the third and final overtime, TCU was able to score and prevent Oregon from reaching the end zone. Their 31 point comeback is tied for the largest in NCAA Division I Bowl history.
Texas Tech vs Minnesota: Insight Bowl
Date: December 29, 2006
Location: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Tied for the biggest comeback in NCAA Division I Bowl history, the 2006 Insight Bowl was an electrifying game. Texas Tech trailed 38-7 halfway through the third quarter, but somehow managed to scored 31 unanswered points to tie the game and thrust the Championship battle into overtime.
Minnesota scored a field goal in OT, but Texas Tech came back with a touchdown to win the game.
BYU vs SMU: Holiday Bowl
Date: December 19, 1980
Location: Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
I’m sure you’ve heard of the “Miracle Bowl.” BYU trailed 45-25 with four minutes left in the game, a seemingly insurmountable deficit. Then, legendary BYU quarterback Jim McMahon threw a touchdown pass, which then led to his team recovering their onside kickoff.
BYU then scored again, stopped SMU from scoring on the next drive, and blocked SMU’s punt with 13 seconds left.
As time expired, McMahon launched the most memorable hail mary of all time, straight into a heavily defended end-zone, and completed the game-winning touchdown to Clay Brown. An extra point kick cemented BYU's 46-45 victory in the 1980 Holiday Bowl.
Alabama vs Auburn: Iron Bowl
Date: November 26, 2010
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Cam Newton lead No.2 Auburn back from a 24-point deficit against No. 11 Alabama in a game that shocked the entire nation, and kept the Tigers undefeated. Newton threw three touchdowns, and ran for another touchdown, in what has since been dubbed the “Cam-Back.”
The 28-27 win brought much needed positive press to Auburn, during a time where the NCAA was investigating Cam’s recruitment.
Notre Dame vs Houston: Cotton Bowl Classic
Date: January 1st, 1979
Location: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas
Joe Montana, what a guy. Before this Hall-of-Famer played in the NFL, he was defying the odds in college.
During one of the worst ice storms in Dallas history, Montana led Notre Dame back from a 34-12 deficit while battling the flu. In fact, as halftime approached, Montana’s symptoms forced him to leave the game.
After the medical staff confined Montana to the locker room and fed him chicken soup to warm him up, he returned in the fourth quarter to lead the Fighting Irish to a 35-34 victory. The '79 Cotton Bowl has since been dubbed "The Chicken Soup Game."
Houston vs Pittsburgh: Armed Forces Bowl
Date: January 2, 2015
Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
With about ten minutes left to play in the fourth quarter, Houston trailed Pittsburgh by 25 points. Remember what I said about divine intervention earlier?
Somehow, the Houston Cougars were able to score three touchdowns in the final 3:41, which set the record for the largest fourth quarter comeback in NCAA Division I Bowl history.
TCU vs Stanford: Alamo Bowl
Date: December 28, 2017
Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
TCU pulled off another insane comeback at the Alamo Bowl this past year. TCU never lead the game until the fourth quarter, and overcame an 18 point deficit to defeat Stanford.
A 93-yard touchdown pass and a 76-yard punt return propelled TCU back into the game in the final quarter. In the end, it was a 33-yard field goal that gave the Horned Frogs a 39-37 lead and crushed Stanford’s chances of winning the game.
Michigan State vs Baylor: Cotton Bowl Classic
Date: January 1, 2015
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington Texas
Michigan State entered the fourth quarter trailing by 20 points. Undeterred, the Spartans managed to come back and score three touchdowns, including the game-winning TD with 17 seconds left in the game.
The Spartans' game-winning drive was set up by this blocked field goal late in the game, which paved the way for their miraculous 42-41 Cotton Bowl victory.