30 Year College Football Tournament-West

 Midwest

1. 2004 USC Trojans                13-0         National Champions (d. Oklahoma Orange Bowl 55-19)

2. 2005 Texas Longhorns         13-0                 National Champions (d. USC Rose Bowl 41-38)

3. 2005 USC Trojans                12-1                 2nd AP (L Rose Bowl Texas 41-38)

4. 2008 Oklahoma Sooners      12-2                5th AP (L BCS Title Florida 24-14)

5. 2021 Georgia Bulldogs         14-1                 National Champions (d. Alabama CFP Title 33-18)

6. 2011 Oklahoma St Cowboys   12-2              7th AP (d. N Dame Fiesta Bowl 37-35)

7. 2012 Oregon Ducks              12-1                  2nd AP (d. Kansas St Fiesta Bowl 35-17)

8. 2008 Texas Longhorns         12-1                   4th AP (d. Ohio St Fiesta Bowl 24-21)

9. 1998 Ohio St Buckeyes        11-1                 2nd AP (d. A&M Sugar Bowl 24-14)

10. 2020 Ohio St Buckeyes         7-1                    2nd AP (L CFP Title Alabama 52-24)

11. 2014 Oregon Ducks             13-2                  2nd AP (L CFP Title Ohio St 42-20)

12. 2008 USC Trojans                12-1                 3rd AP (d. Penn St Rose Bowl 38-24)

13. 2010 Stanford Cardinal       12-1                 4th AP (d. Va Tech Orange Bowl 40-12)

14. 2004 Utah Utes                     12-0                  4th AP (d. Pitt 35-7 Fiesta Bowl)

15. 2022 Michigan Wolverines   13-1                 3rd AP (L Fiesta Bowl TCU 51-45)

15. 2004 Cal Golden Bears         10-2                 9th AP (L Holiday Bowl TTech 45-31)

16. 2010 Oregon Ducks                12-1                3rd AP (L BCS Title Auburn 22-19)

16. 2019 Clemson Tigers             14-1                  2nd AP (L CFP Title LSU 42-25)

PLAY IN ROUND

2019 CLEMSON 30  2010 OREGON 24

-One more Clemson team makes the field, 178 yards rushing and a score for Travis Etienne. Trevor Lawrence ran for a score and threw for a score.  LaMichael James went over a hundred with a score in the loss.  

2004 CAL 52  2022 MICHIGAN 13

-One team from Cal in the tournament and they live to see round one; JJ Arrington does it, 232 yards rushing and 4 scores. David Gray had 2 TD receptions from Aaron Rodgers.  195 yards rushing and a score for Blake Corum in the loss.

ROUND ONE

1. 2004 USC 35  16. 2019 CLEMSON 17

-USC was up 21-0 midway through the second qtr and cruised home. LenDale White rushed for 158 and a score. Matt Leinart goes 20 for 28, 304 yards and 4 TDs.  Trevor Lawrence throws for 311 yards and 2 scores in the loss.

8. 2008 TEXAS 24  9. 1998 OHIO ST 21

-Ohio State had 7 more first downs and led in time of possession, but they fall to the Longhorns. Colt McCoy throws for 3 scores, 2 to Jordan Shipley. 2 sacks for Emmanuel Acho. 334 yards passing for Joe Germaine.

5. 2021 GEORGIA 24  12. 2008 USC 22

-USC's 2 pt conversion attempt with a minute left fails and Georgia moves on.  3 TD passes for Stetson Bennett. 2 Christopher Smith picks of Mark Sanchez.  Patrick Turner with over a 100 yards receiving and a score in the loss.

4. 2008 OKLAHOMA 42  13. 2013 STANFORD 31

-Sam Bradford with a near perfect day, 21-25, 392 yards and 5 scores.  Manuel Johnson has 125 yards receiving and a score. Tyler Gaffney runs for 128 and a score in the loss.

6. 2011 OKLAHOMA ST 49 11. 2014 OREGON 35

-One Oklahoma St team in the field and they head to round two. 12 catches for 177 yards and 2 scores for Justin Blackmon. Brandon Weeden throws for 5 scores. Royce Freeman with 126 yards and 3 scores in the loss.

3. 2005 USC 55 14. 2004 UTAH 17

-The undefeated Utes get dogwalked. Reggie Bush rushes for 269 yards and 3 scores. Matt Leinart goes 21-26, 325 yards and 4 scores.  SC with a tournament high 8 sacks of Alex Smith.  

10. 2020 OHIO ST 47 7. 2012 OREGON 35

-Oregon had a 35-33 lead through 3 qtrs but Trey Sermon hit two 50+ yard 4th qtr TD runs and the Buckeyes advance. 240 yards rushing and 3 scores for Sermon. Master Teague also rushed for over 100 yards. Kenjon Barner rushed for 216 and 2 scores in the loss.

2. 2005 TEXAS 41  15. 2004 CAL 28

-Aaron Rodgers threw a 74 yard TD pass to Chase Lyman that ended the first half giving Cal a 28-20 lead. But Texas shut them out in the second half to win going away.  149 yards rushing and 2 scores for Jamaal Charles. JJ Arrington rushed for 214 with 2 scores in the loss.

ROUND TWO

1. 2004 USC v. 8. 2008 Texas

4. 2008 Oklahoma v. 5. 2021 Georgia

3. 2005 USC v. 6. 2011 Oklahoma St

2. 2005 Texas v. 10. 2020 Ohio St

We're a game away from a Sweet 16 rematch of the legendary 2005 National Title game.  

1. 2004 USC 41 8. 2008 TEXAS 17

-SC led 31-3 midway through the third and waltzed home. Matt Leinart goes 21-31, 371 yards and 2 scores. 2 rushing TDs for LenDale White, Dwayne Jarrett has over 100 yards receiving.  8 sacks for the Trojans, they maul Colt McCoy, 3 sacks by Keith Rivers.  

4. 2008 OKLAHOMA 54  5. 2021 GEORGIA 14

-Woof.  Georgia led 14-7 early second quarter and then 40, count them, 40 unanswered by Oklahoma to storm into the Sweet 16. Sam Bradford throws for 448 yards. DeMarco Murray runs for 119 yards and 3 scores, Chris Brown has 3 rushing TDs of his own. 

3. 2005 USC 44  6. 2011 OKLAHOMA ST 43

-A 33 yard FG as the clock hit :00 gave USC the 44-43 win and a spot in the Sweet 16.  24-23 USC at the half, Reggie Bush with 2 first half TDs. Brandon Weeden threw 2 third qtr TD passes to Josh Cooper and Oklahoma St had a 40-31 early 4th qtr lead. USC regained the lead at 41-40 with a Mario Danelo FG with 3:30 left, 2 minutes later Quinn Sharp hit a 55 yard FG and OK St took a 43-41 lead.  USC started the game's final drive at their own 29, the big play a 29 yard pass from Matt Leinart to Steve Smith and at the gun, the Mario Danelo game winner. 159 yards rushing and 3 scores for Bush, 137 yards receiving for Smith. 322 yards passing for Leinart. 12 catches for 190 yards and a score for Justin Blackmon in the loss. 

2. 2005 TEXAS 44 10. 2020 OHIO ST 14

-The top seeded Longhorns stroll into the Sweet 16 for the rematch with the Trojans. Vince Young goes 13-13 for 205, throws for a score, runs for a score. 2 TDs for Jamaal Charles. 2 picks for Aaron Ross. 111 yards receiving for Chris Olave in the loss.

SWEET 16

1. 2004 USC v. 4. 2008 Oklahoma

2. 2005 Texas v. 3. 3005 USC

The top 4 seeds all survive, that Texas/USC rematch winds up the last game prior to the Elite 8.

4. 2008 OKLAHOMA 56  1. 2004 USC 48

-SC had a 48-42 lead after 3 qtrs, but Chris Brown had two 4th qtr rushing TDs and its Oklahoma who heads to the Elite 8.  158 yards rushing and 2 scores for DeMarco Murray. 131 yards rushing and those 2 scores for Brown. Sam Bradford goes 22-30, 350 yards and 4 scores.  Reggie Bush rushes for 200 yards and 3 scores in the loss.  

3. 2005 USC 31 2. 2005 TEXAS 23

-The Trojans get their redemption.  Reggie Bush rushes for 215 yards and 2 scores. Dwayne Jarett has 107 yards receiving. Jamaal Charles rushes for 112 in the loss. 

And so we are set for the Elite 8.

30 Year College Football Tournament-Midwest

South 

1. 2023 Michigan Wolverines           15-0       National Champions  (d. Washington CFP Title 34-13)

2. 2019 Ohio St Buckeyes                  13-1      3rd AP (L Fiesta Bowl Clemson 29-23)

3. 1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers     13-0       National Champions (d. Tennessee Orange Bowl 42-17)

4. 2024 Ohio St Buckeyes                  14-2      National Champions (d. N Dame CFP Title 34-23)

5. 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide        13-1       National Champions (d. N Dame BCS Title 42-14)

6. 2017 Wisconsin Badgers               13-1       7th AP (d. Miami Orange Bowl 34-24)

7. 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide         12-1       National Champions (d. LSU BCS Title 21-0)

8. 2003 USC Trojans                          12-1       National Champions (d. Michigan Rose Bowl 28-14)

9. 2014 Ohio St Buckeyes                  14-1       National Champions (d. Oregon CFP Title 42-20)

10. 1998 Tennessee Volunteers           13-0      National Champions (d. Florida St Fiesta Bowl 23-16)

11. 1997 Michigan Wolverines             12-0      National Champions (d. Wash St Rose Bowl 21-16)

12. 1997 Florida St Seminoles       11-1          3rd AP (d. Ohio St Sugar Bowl 31-14)

13. 1996 Nebraska Cornhuskers        11-2      6th AP (d. Va Tech Orange Bowl 41-21)

14. 2017 Ohio St Buckeyes                  12-2      5th AP (d. USC Cotton Bowl 24-7)

15. 1999 Nebraska Cornhuskers         12-1      3rd AP (d. Tennessee Fiesta Bowl 31-21)

15. 2020 Oklahoma Sooners               9-2        6th AP (d. Florida Cotton Bowl 55-20)

16. 2019 Alabama Crimson Tide          11-2      8th AP (d. Michigan Citrus Bowl 35-16)

16. 2013 Oregon Ducks                          11-2      9th AP (d. Texas Alamo Bowl 30-7)

PLAY IN ROUND

2019 ALABAMA 68  2013 OREGON 60

It takes 4 OTs, easily the longest game of the tournament, and the '19 Tide moves into the field proper.  14-14 after the first qtr, 21-20 Alabama at the half. 35-30 Alabama after three.  Early 4th quarter, Marcus Mariota 11 yard TD pass to Keanon Lowe made it 36-35 Ducks; 8 minutes left in the game, Tua Tagovailoa 7 yards to Jerry Jeudy made it 43-36 Tide. With 3 minutes left - Mariota to Byron Marshall, 8 yard toss to tie the score at 43. They traded TDs in OT1, traded TDs in OT2, traded FGs in OT3, Finally, in the 4th OT, Tua's 4th TD pass of the day was a 12 yarder to Devonta Smith, Bama follows with the 2 pt conversion, but this time, on 4th and goal, Xavier McKinney bats down a Mariota pass and the Tide survives.  2 TDs each for Jeudy, Keilan Robinson and Brian Robinson. Mariota throws for 6 scores in the defeat.  

2020 OKLAHOMA 20  1999 NEBRASKA 17

Stephen Johnson hit a walk off 44 yard FG to send Oklahoma into the field.  97 yards rushing and 2 scores for Rhamondre Stevenson.  Dan Alexander went for 121 and 2 scores in the loss.

FIRST ROUND

#16 2019 ALABAMA 45  #1 2023 MICHIGAN 24

-The top seed in the Midwest gets blown out in round one.  Tua goes 25-36, 329 yards and 2 scores. 122 yards receiving for Devonta Smith. 6 sacks for the Tide.  144 yards rushing and a score for Blake Corum in the loss.

#8 2003 USC 44 #9 2014 OHIO ST 10

-Easy round one win for the Trojans; Matt Leinart throws for a TD and runs for 2 more.  4 sacks and 3 picks for the Trojan defense.  

#5 2012 ALABAMA 23  #12 1997 FLORIDA ST 6

-4 picks and 4 sacks for the Tide, CJ Mosley with one of each. 102 yards receiving for EG Green in the loss.

#4 2024 OHIO ST 40  #13 1996 NEBRASKA 14

-The '24 Buckeyes storm into round two, holding Nebraska to 11 first downs. Will Howard goes 22-28, 249 yards and 2 scores. 4 FGs for Jayden Fielding.

6. 2017 WISCONSIN 19  11. 1997 MICHIGAN 10

-Tough bracket for the Wolverines as another Michigan national champion falls. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 199 and a score. 2 picks for Charles Woodson in the loss.

#14 2017 OHIO ST 34 #3 1997 NEBRASKA 3

-The '24 Buckeyes blew out the '96 Cornhuskers - and the '17 Buckeyes go to Lincoln and do the same to the '97 National Champs. 121 yards rushing and a score for JK Dobbins. 123 yards receiving and a score for Johnnie Dixon. Eric Warfield had a tournament best 4 sacks in the loss.

7. 2011 ALABAMA 40  10. 1998 TENNESSEE 3

-The third Alabama team to reach the second round in the Midwest. 180 yards from scrimmage and a score for Trent Richardson. AJ McCarron throws for 350 yards and 3 scores.  

15. 2020 OKLAHOMA 20  2. 2019 OHIO ST 16

The top 3 seeds in the region all knocked out in round one.  Spencer Rattler goes 20-29, 293 yards and 2 scores. 2 sacks for Nik Bonitto.  183 yards from scrimmage for JK Dobbins in the loss.

ROUND TWO

8. 2003 USC v. 16. 2019 Alabama

4. 2024 Ohio St v. 5. 2012 Alabama

6. 2017 Wisconsin v. 14. 2017 Ohio St

7. 2011 Alabama v. 15. 2020 Oklahoma

Most unlikely round two we've had so far in the tournament, 14th and 15th seeds still alive; 3 Alabama teams heading to round two.  

8. 2003 USC 45  16. 2019 ALABAMA 20

-The National Champion Trojans reach the Sweet 16.  130 yards rushing and 3 scores for Hershel Dennis. 2 scores for Lendale White. 128 yards receiving for Mike Williams. 330 yards passing for Matt Leinart.  

4. 2024 OHIO ST 16  5. 2012 ALABAMA 14

-The only points in the second half were 3 Jayden Fielding FGs and the Buckeyes reach the Sweet 16. The Buckeyes hold AJ McCarron to under a hundred yards passing. 2 picks for Jack Sawyer, 2 sacks for Cody Simon.

6. 2017 WISCONSIN 40 14. 2017 OHIO ST 27

-Not ideal bracket construction to have the possibility of two teams who actually faced each other meet so early in the tournament - Wisconsin gets revenge for the only loss they suffered all season. Jonathan Taylor absolutely unstoppable, 35 carries, 289 yards and 3 scores. JK Dobbins with 140 yards rushing and 2 scores in the loss.

7. 2011 ALABAMA 43  15. 2020 OKLAHOMA 10

-232 yards from scrimmage for Trent Richardson as the Tide roll into the Sweet 16. Alabama intercepts Spencer Rattler 6 times, 3 from Dee Milliner. 5 FGs from Jeremy Shelley. 

SWEET 16

4. 2024 Ohio St v. 8. 2003 USC

6. 2017 Wisconsin v. 7. 2011 Alabama

3 National Champions here including the most recent champs, the Buckeyes.

4. 2024 OHIO ST 48 8. 2003 USC 13

-The Buckeyes blast their ways into the Elite 8.  Quidshon Judkins rushes for 159 yards and a score. 2 scores for Treyvon Henderson.  Will Howard goes 22 for 28, 327 yards and 3 scores. Mike Williams has 101 yards receiving in the loss.  

6. 2017 WISCONSIN 58 7. 2011 ALABAMA 55

-5 Overtimes later, the Badgers join the Buckeyes as the Midwest representatives in the Elite 8. Alabama led 17-0 midway through the second quarter, led 30-16 with less than 7 minute to play - but when Jonathan Taylor busted a 74 yard TD run with two minutes remaining Wisconsin had tied the score at 30. In that 5th OT, Rafael Gaglianone hit his 5th FG of the day - opening the door for an Alabama TD to win the game, but on the second play of the drive, Derrick Tindall intercepted AJ McCarron to seal the win.  203 yards rushing and 2 scores for Taylor; 107 yards receiving and a TD for Danny Davis, Alex Hornibrook throws for 3 scores.  234 yards rushing and 4 TDs for Trent Richardson in the loss.

3/4 of the field is set, 2024 Ohio St and 2017 Wisconsin head into the Elite 8.