There have been plenty of scandals that have taken place within NCAA football programs across the nation throughout the past 12 years.  MTV’s “Clutch Blog” helps us take a look at them with this interesting “College Football Scandal Map.”

The Miami Hurricanes entered the game as 11.5 point favorites and were expected to repeat as National Champions.  Their roster included several players on both offense and defense who would go on to have successful NFL careers, including Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee, Kellen Winslow Jr., Jonathan Vilma and the late Sean Taylor.  Despite being heavy favorites, the Hurricanes were in a dogfight from the start, as the game remained close throughout its entirety.  On the last play of regulation, Ohio State kicker Todd Sievers hit a 40-yard field goal to tie the game at 17 and send it into overtime.

After the teams exchanged touchdowns in the first overtime, the Buckeyes would get the ball first in the second overtime and scored a touchdown to go up 31-24.  Ohio’s defense then stopped the Hurricanes on 4th and goal on the 1 yard line to complete the upset.

Here is the final play of the game.

Notbale Birthdays

A.J. Burnett, MLB – Born January 3rd 1977 (age 35) in North Little Rock, Arkansas

David Tyree, NFL – Born January 3rd 1980 (age 32) in Livingston, New Jersey

Eli Manning, NFL – Born January 3rd 1981 (age 31) in New Orleans, Louisiana

Texas Longhorns vs Ohio State Buckeyes

Fiesta Bowl Game Preview

The Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes, does it get much better for a Fiesta Bowl.  Colt McCoy has been the leader of the Longhorns offense this season, setting school records in passing yards and touchdowns. The Heisman finalist led the Longhorns to a 11-1 record with the only loss coming to Texas Tech on the last play of the game.  The Longhorns feel like they should be playing for the National Championship, however the BCS gave the Sooners the edge. The Longhorns must put that bitter feeling behind them as they prepare for a feisty Ohio State team that went 8-1 after its early season defeat to USC. The Buckeyes finished the season strong with freshman quarterback Tyrelle Prior at the helm.

Both teams feature tough defenses, that are stingy when it comes to giving up points.  The Buckeyes and Longhorns both rank in the top 20 in scoring defense, giving up 13.1 and 18.6 points a game respectively. The Buckeyes should be familiar with their surroundings when they travel to Glendale, Arizona to play this game.  This will be their fourth visit to the Fiesta Bowl in the last seven years but they also played a National Championship game against the Florida Gators in Glendale, Arizona.

Fiesta Bowl Game Prediction

Both defences should play well with alot at stake in this game, we like the Buckeyes defense over the Longhorns defense, but the Longhorns offense is more versitile and should create more big plays. Tyrelle Prior, will have to minimize his mistakes in this game for the Buckeyes to have a chance, that pressure should be taken off his shoulders by Chris “Beanie” Wells, the running back has had a injury filled season but should be prepared to shoulder the load in this game.

Fiesta Bowl Game Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes +8.5