30 Year College Football Tournament-South

 East

1. 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide    13-0       National Champions (d. Ohio St CFP Title 52-24)

2. 2022 Georgia Bulldogs              15-0       National Champions (d. TCU CFP Title 65-7)

3. 2019 LSU Tigers                         15-0      National Champions (d. Clemson CFP Title 42-25)

4. 2013 Florida St Seminoles          14-0     National Champions  (d. Auburn BCS Title 34-31)

5. 2005 Ohio St Buckeyes              10-2       4th AP (d. N Dame Fiesta Bowl 34-20)

6. 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide     14-0       National Champions (d. Texas BCS Title 37-21)

7. 1996 Ohio St Buckeyes               11-1      2nd AP (d. Arizona St Rose Bowl 20-17)

8. 2016 Clemson Tigers                   14-1       National Champions (d. Alabama CFP Title 35-31)

9. 2011 LSU Tigers                           13-1      2nd AP (L Alabama BCS Title 21-0)

10. 2016 Alabama Crimson Tide    14-1      2nd AP (L Clemson CFP Title 35-31)

11. 2010 Auburn Tigers                   14-0        National Champions (d. Oregon BCS Title 22-19)

12. 2018 Alabama Crimson Tide    14-1      2nd AP (L Clemson CFP Title 44-16)

13. 2017 Georgia Bulldogs               13-2      2nd AP (L Alabama CFP Title 26-23) 

14. 2004 Oklahoma Sooners            12-1       3rd AP (L Orange Bowl USC 55-19)

15. 1997 Florida Gators                   10-2        4th AP (d. Penn St Citrus Bowl 21-6)

15. 2003 LSU Tigers                          13-1        2nd AP (d. Oklahoma 21-14 Sugar Bowl)

16. 2009 Florida Gators                   13-1        3rd AP (d. Cincinnati Sugar Bowl 51-24)

16. 1997 Tennessee Volunteers         11-2       7th AP (L Orange Bowl 42-17 Nebraska)

PLAY IN ROUND

2009 FLORIDA 58  1997 TENNESSEE 38

-Woo, highest scoring game of the tournament to date.  191 yards from scrimmage and 3 scores for Chris Rainey. Tim Tebow threw for 2 scores and ran for 2 scores. 2 picks for Dustin Doe.  129 yards and a score for Jamal Lewis in the loss.  

1997 FLORIDA 38  2003 LSU  0

-The first shutout of the tournament. Fred Taylor goes off, 25 carries for 241 yards and 4 scores. 74 yards receiving and a score for Erron Kinney.  

FIRST ROUND

#1 2020 ALABAMA 62  #16 2009 FLORIDA 27

-The Gators scored 58 in the play in round and they give up 62 here.  295 yards from scrimmage and 4 TDs for Najee Harris.  DeVonta Smith catches 8 balls for 98 yards and 3 scores. Mac Jones goes 22-29 for 311 and the three scoring balls to Smith.  Alabama led 28-0 at the end of the first quarter, 42-10 at the half.  

#9 2011 LSU 45  #8 2016 CLEMSON 21

-The LSU lead was 21-14 midway through the third quarter and then the Bayou Bengals went on a heater, with 24 points in the game's final 20 minutes.  Michael Ford rushed for 122 and 2 scores. Tyrann Mathieu took back a punt for a score.  Artavis Scott had 117 receiving yards and a score in the loss.

#12 2018 ALABAMA 26  #5 2005 OHIO ST 23

-Joseph Bulovas hits a 27 yard FG as the clock reached :00 to move Alabama into the second round, the big play on the drive a 29 yard Jerry Jeudy reception on 3rd and 19 two plays prior to set up the game winner.  119 yards receiving for Jeudy. Bulovas hit 4 FGs on the day.  97 yards rushing and a score for Antonio Pittman in the loss.

#4 2013 FLORIDA ST 45 #13 2017 GEORGIA 35

-The '13 Seminoles remain unbeaten, the teams combining for 31 4th qtr points. 28-21 Florida St entering the final quarter, Nick Chubb tied it with 11 minutes left with an 8 yard run.  After a Seminole FG, Georgia took a 35-31 lead with a little more than 3 minutes left with a Sony Michel 9 yard run.  Jameis Winston had to convert a 4th and 6 at the Georgia 11 with an 8 yard pass to Kelvin Benjamin and with 41 seconds left found Devonta Freeman with a TD pass.  On Georgia's second play from scrimmage on their next drive, Lamarcus Joyner took a Jake Fromm pick back 29 yards for a game sealing pick six.  Freeman had 171 yards from scrimmage and 2 scores.  Both Michel and Chubb rushed for over 100 yards and 2 TDs

#6 2009 ALABAMA 37  #11 2010 AUBURN 21

-Battle of unbeatens; Alabama beats their cross-state rivals. Cam Newton ran one in with 8 minutes left in the third, cutting the Alabama lead to 24-21, but they were unable to score again and head back home.  Big Mark Ingram game, 28 carries for 217 yards and 3 scores.  Trent Richardson also rushed for over a 100 yards. Newton ran for a score and threw for a score in the defeat. 

#3 2019 LSU 50  #14 2004 OKLAHOMA 7

-Unbeaten LSU drops the hammer down on the Sooners. 175 yards rushing and 2 scores for Clyde Edwards Helaire. Joe Burrow goes 19-24, 240 yards and 3 scores. Derek Stingley took an 81 yard pick back for a score, total of 3 LSU interceptions of Jason White.

#10 2016 ALABAMA 33  #7 1996 OHIO ST 12

-Alabama goes to Columbus and throttles the Buckeyes. 125 yards rushing and a score for Damien Harris. 3 sacks for Mack Wilson. 103 yards rushing for Pepe Pearson in the loss

#2 2022 GEORGIA 39  #15 1997 FLORIDA 10

-The second seed rolls into the second round. 179 yards rushing and a score for Kenny McIntosh, Stetson Bennett threw for 2 scores. 6 Jack Podlesny FGs, a tournament high. Fred Taylor rushed for 126 in the loss.  

SECOND ROUND

#1. 2020 Alabama v. #9 2011 LSU

#4 2013 Florida St v. #12 2018 Alabama

#3 2019 LSU v. #6 2009 Alabama

#2 2022 Georgia v. #10 2016 Alabama

The Crimson Tide in all 4 second round games in the South Region.

#1 2020 ALABAMA 31 #9 2011 LSU 29

A Barnburner in Tuscaloosa. Mac Jones threw 3 first half TD passes and Alabama had a 21-6 mid second quarter lead, but when Jordan Jefferson threw a 49 yard Hail Mary to Deangelo Peterson to end the first half the deficit was cut to 5.  The teams traded TDs in the third quarter; late in the 4th, Alabama had an 8 pt lead, but Jefferson led the Tigers down the field with a 2 minute drive, hit Odell Beckham with a 3 yard score on 4th and goal - but the attempt at the game tying 2 pt conversion failed and the top seeds survived.  180 yards rushing and a score for Najee Harris. 116 yards receiving for Devonta Smith. 20-27 for 3 scores and 300 yards for Jones. Spencer Ware rushed for 124 in the defeat.

#4 2013 FLORIDA ST 50 #12 2018 ALABAMA 24

We'll get the matchup of unbeatens in the Sweet 16. With 10 minutes left in the first half, it was Alabama who led 21-20, but they were outscored 30-3 the rest of the way.  James Winston was 22-33, 322 yards and 2 scores. 3 LSU picks of Tua Tagovailoa (who threw for over 400 yards, the tournament high).  5 FGs for Roberto Aguayo.  

#3 2019 LSU 43  #6 2009 ALABAMA 26

We're a Georgia win away from the top 4 seeds all advancing to the Sweet 16 in the South. LSU had a 30-3 halftime lead and they safely move forward. 31 first downs for the Tigers. Joe Burrow goes 25-31, 372 yards and 3 scores. 2 of those scores to Ja'Marr Chase; Justin Jefferson caught 7 balls for 102 yards. Clyde Edwards Helaire rushed for 120. 5 FGs for Cade York. 3 TD passes for Greg McElroy in the defeat.

#10 2016 ALABAMA 24 # 2 2022 GEORGIA 21

Alabama upsets the Bulldogs to earn a second spot in the Sweet 16 for the South Region. Georgia led 14-10 midway through the 3rd qtr, but a 53 yard Damien Harris TD run and a 3 yard TD pass from Jalen Hurts to OJ Howard tilted the game to the Tide.  158 yards rushing and 2 scores for Harris. Minkah Fitzpatrick had a huge 4th qtr pick of Stetson Bennett. 2 TDs on the ground for Kenny McIntosh in the loss.  

SWEET 16

#1 2020 Alabama v. #4 2013 Florida St

#3 2019 LSU v. #10 2016 Alabama

Unbeaten National Champions meet in game one; LSU takes on the second Bama squad in that second game. The winners of these games join the '99 Seminoles and '18 Clemson Tigers in the Elite 8.

#1 2020 ALABAMA 55  #4 2013 FLORIDA ST 24

-Sweet 16 battle of unbeatens is a blowout for Alabama, the Tide moving to 16-0.  Alabama outscored Florida St 38-10 in the second half.  Mac Jones thoroughly unstoppable in this one, 30 for 35 for 408 yards and 6 scores.  Najee Harris rushed for 130. Devonta Smith caught 9 balls for 134 and a score. The Tide intercepts Jameis Winston 3 times. Alabama moves to the Elite 8.

#3 2019 LSU 52 #10 2016 ALABAMA 34

-LSU moves to 18-0 and sets up the Elite 8 matchup with that 16-0 Alabama team.  In this one, LSU led 28-24 midway through the third and then pulled away. Joe Burrow nearly duplicates that Mac Jones performance, 23-30, 511 yards, 3 TDs.  Clyde Edwards Helaire rushed for 3 scores and caught a 4th.  Both Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr chase had over 100 yards receiving.  

SWEET 16

That's half the field complete, how about these Elite 8 matchups, 4 undefeated National Champions.

1999 Florida St (15-0) v. 2018 Clemson (18-0)

2020 Alabama (16-0) v. 2019 LSU (18-0)

 

30 Year College Football Tournament-East

Using the same simulation engine I used for other recent tournaments, I've got a 72 team college football tournament covering the last 30 years.  

Here's the East.

1. 2001 Miami Hurricanes           12-0           National Champions (d. Nebraska, Rose Bowl, 37-14)

2. 1999 Florida St Seminoles       12-0           National Champions (d. Va Tech, Sugar Bowl, 46-29)

3. 2008 Florida Gators                 13-1           National Champions (d. Oklahoma BCS Title 24-14)

4. 2018 Clemson Tigers                15-0           National Champions (d. Alabama CFP Title, 44-16)

5. 1996 Florida Gators                 12-1           National Champions (d. Florida St, Sugar Bowl 52-20)

6. 2002 USC Trojans                    11-2           4th AP (d. Iowa, Orange Bowl, 38-17)

7. 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide   14-1          National Champions (d. Clemson, CFP Title 45-40)

8. 2000 Florida St Seminoles        11-2          5th AP (L Orange Bowl Oklahoma 13-2)

9. 2001 Florida Gators                  10-2         3rd AP (d. Maryland Orange Bowl 56-23)

10. 2006 Florida Gators                    13-1         National Champions (d. Ohio St BCS Title 41-14)

11. 2007 LSU Tigers                        12-2        National Champions (d. Ohio St BCS Title 38-24)

12. 2002 Ohio St Buckeyes              14-0        National Champions (d. Miami Fiesta Bowl 31-24)

13. 2017 Alabama Crimson Tide        13-1      National Champions (d. Georgia CFP Title 26-23)

14. 1996 Florida St Seminoles        11-1        3rd AP (L Sugar Bowl Florida 52-20)

15. 2000 Miami Hurricanes          11-1          2nd AP (d. Florida Sugar Bowl 37-20)

15. 2017 Clemson Tigers                 12-2        4th AP (L Sugar Bowl Alabama 24-6)

16. 2018 Georgia Bulldogs              11-3        7th AP (L Sugar Bowl Texas 28-21)

16. 2024 Notre Dame Fighting Irish  14-2    2nd AP (L. Ohio St CFP Title 34-23)

PLAY IN GAMES

2018 GEORGIA 29  2024 NOTRE DAME 24

-Early in the second half, Riley Leonard threw a 2 yard TD pass to Jaden Greathouse to give the Irish a 24-10 lead; the Bulldogs then score 19 unanswered to advance.  Midway through the third, Jake Fromm hit Jeremiah Holloman with a 63 yard scoring strike, that closed the gap to 24-20; it was 24-23 Irish when Georgia took over at their own 19 with under 3 minutes to play.  The big play of the game, 4th and 5 at their own 44, 1:28 to play, D'Andre Swift hits one for 35 yards.  A few plays later, Elijah Holyfield was in the end zone and the Bulldogs move on.

111 yards rushing for Swift in the win.  106 yards receiving for Jordan Faison in the loss.  

2000 MIAMI 41  2017 CLEMSON 26

-Easy one for the Hurricanes, they led 31-6 late in the first half and cruised home.  149 yards rushing and 2 TDs for James Jackson.  Santana Moss took a punt back for a score.  2 receiving TDs for Andre King.  Tavien Feaster had 110 yards rushing and a score in the loss.  

ROUND ONE

#1 2001 MIAMI 41    #16 2018 GEORGIA 24

-2 TD runs from D'Andre Swift gave Georgia a 21-20 halftime lead, Ken Dorsey threw second half scores to Ethenic Sands and Jeremy Shockey and the top seeded Hurricanes move on.  142 yards rushing and a score for Clinton Portis. 2 interceptions by Ed Reed.  Swift had 113 yards rushing in the loss.  

#8. 2000 FLORIDA ST 34  #9 2001 FLORIDA 27

-The Seminoles led 27-10 at the half on their way to the 34-27 win.  Ton of passing yards here, Chris Weinke goes for 343 and 3 scores in the win - Rex Grossman 427 yards and 3 scores in the loss. Snoop Minnis has 5 catches, 94 yards and a score in the win, Reche Caldwell has 7 catches, 126 yards and a score in the loss.  

#5 1996 FLORIDA  24   #12 2002 OHIO ST 13

-The first meeting of National Champions in the tournament goes to the Gators. Florida led 24-6 through 3 quarters in an easy one.  7 catches for 93 yards for Reidel Anthony. 6 sacks for the Gators. 90 yards rushing and a score for Maurice Clarett in the defeat.

#4 2018 CLEMSON 48 #13 2017 ALABAMA 20

-Clemson beat Alabama in the national title game in '18 and they beat them again here. A 68 yard TD run by Jalen Hurts late in third cut the Clemson lead to 24-20 Clemson - but the Tigers owned the 4th qtr with 20 unanswered points including 2 scores from Lyn J Dixon. 112 yards rushing and 3 scores for Dixon on the day.  312 yards passing and 2 scores for Trevor Lawrence. 112 yards rushing for Najee Harris in the loss. 

#6 2002 USC 32  #11 2007 LSU 20

-It was 10-0 LSU after the first qtr, Carson Palmer threw for 3 second qtr scores to give USC a 15-10 halftime lead that they'd never give back.  413 yards passing and 4 TDs for Palmer (who also threw 3 picks). 2 of those scores went to Mike Williams, who had 7 catches for 107 yards. Jacob Hester had 153 yards rushing for the Tigers.  

#14 1996 FLORIDA ST  20   #3 2008 FLORIDA 10

-Big upset in the Swamp; the 3rd seeded Gators never led in this one, the 'Nole defense locking down Tim Tebow, 12-22, 105 yards. 83 yards rushing and a score for Warrick Dunn in the win.

#7 2015 ALABAMA 34 #10 2006 FLORIDA 31  

-The first walk off of the tournament, Alabama led 28-14 through 3 qtrs when Eddie Jackson took a Chris Leak pick back 72 yards for a score.  With less than 90 seconds left, Alabama tied the game at 31 with a short FG.  Jake Coker then drove the Crimson Tide for a 41 yard game winning Adam Griffith FG as time expired.  We will not see a better individual performance in this tournament than Derrick Henry's here, an earth shattering 34 carries for 320 yards and 2 scores. Percy Harvin had 176 yards from scrimmage and a score in the loss.

#2 1999 FLORIDA ST 37  #15 2000 MIAMI 29

-Round one ends with a win by the second seeded Seminoles, Florida St had a 37-13 early 4th qtr lead before two late Miami scores.  8 catches for 117 yards and a score for Peter Warrick, 159 yards rushing and a score for Travis Minor. 174 yards rushing in the loss for James Jackson.

ROUND TWO

#1 2001 Miami v. #8 2000 Florida St

#4 2018 Clemson v. #5 1996 Florida

#6 2002 USC v. #14 1996 Florida St

#2 1999 Florida St v. #7 2015 Alabama

7 of the top 8 seeds still alive in the region.  

#8 2000 FLORIDA ST 27   #1 2001 MIAMI  13

-The top seeded Canes fall to Florida St.  The 'Noles never trailed, up 17-0, up 27-3, they boatrace Miami to reach the Sweet 16.  Chris Weinke goes 21 of 32, 309 yards, 3 scores and a pick.  6 Ken Dorsey sacks.  Jonathan Vilma has 2 sacks in the loss.

#4 2018 CLEMSON 35 #5 1996 FLORIDA 14

-Clemson led 19-14 heading to the 4th quarter and scored 16 unanswered to pull away.  5 FGs for BJ Potter. 112 yards rushing and a TD for Travis Etienne. 5 catches for 109 for Reidel Anthony in the loss.  

#6 2002 USC 27  #14 1996 FLORIDA ST 23

-USC led 17-6 at the half, but a Scott Bentley FG early in the 4th gave the Noles a 23-20 lead. Midway through the 4th, Justin Fargas took a Carson Palmer screen pass 61 yards for what turned out to be the game winning score.  Keary Colbert had 5 catches for 125 in the win.  3 TD passes for Palmer.  Warrick Dunn ran for 171 and a score in the loss.  

#2 1999 FLORIDA ST 33 #7 2015 ALABAMA 30

-The first OT game of the tournament, Bama up 17-16 after 3 qtrs, Derrick Henry had two second qtr runs TD runs for the Tide. When Henry hit a 31 yard TD run with 10 minutes to play, the Tide led 27-19 and with 2 minutes left, they had a chance to put the game out of reach, but a 40 yard Adam Griffith FG attempt went wide right.  With under 30 seconds left, Florida St had 4th and 15 just inside midfield, but a controversial pass interference call against Ronnie Harrison gave the Noles life.  With 4 seconds left at the Alabama 20 yard line, Chris Weinke found Ron Dugans in the end zone - and then hit Snoop Minnis with the game tying 2 pt conversion that sent us to OT.  Alabama got the ball first, starting at the Florida St 25; Griffith hit a 37 yard FG.  Florida St then got a possession, Travis Minor ended the game with a 2 yard TD run.  Peter Warrick had 9 catches, 143 yards and a score for Florida St.  Minkah Fitzpatrick had 2 picks in the loss

SWEET 16

#4 2018 Clemson v. #8  2000 Florida St

#2 1999 Florida St v. #6 2002 USC

This will be the last round we play here, the Elite 8 games will get their own post. 

#4 2018 CLEMSON 37 #8 2000 FLORIDA ST 13 

-With these 3 wins, this Clemson team is now 18-0.  Travis Etienne runs for 2 scores, Isaiah Simmons took a pick back for a score. Clemson led 17-0 early in the second qtr, this one was never in doubt. 6 catches for 112 yards for Snoop Minnis in the loss.  The 2018 Clemson Tigers head to the Elite 8.

#2 1999 FLORIDA ST 30   #6 2002 USC 24

-Florida St moves to 15-0 on the '99 season and heads to an Elite 8 showdown with Clemson.  Not as close as the score indicated, 30-10 Florida St through 3 quarters and SC picked up a couple of late TDs.  161 yards rushing and a score for Travis Minor. Justin Fargas rushed for 98 with 2 scores in the loss.  

And so, that's it - the '99 Florida St Seminoles and the '18 Clemson Tigers remain unbeaten and head to the Elite 8 from the East Region.