4 The 'Lubbock Lob'
There is no debating the play of the year in college football. Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell's 28-yard touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree with one second left lifted the Red Raiders to a 39-33 upset victory over No. 1 Texas in Lubbock. The defeat cost Texas a trip to the national-title game. It would have been a fabulous finish for Texas had freshman safety Blake Gideon, on the final drive, not dropped what could have been a game-clinching interception. Texas Tech's national-title hopes were later wrecked by a lopsided loss at Oklahoma.
5 Tiebreaker from hell
The BCS was blamed for Texas' being left out of the title game even though it beat Oklahoma, but that was actually a Big 12 problem. Conference rules dictated that the three-way tie in the Big 12 South involving Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech would be settled by the team ranking highest in the BCS standings. That team ended up being Oklahoma, even though it lost to Texas. The Sooners advanced to the Big 12 title game and earned a national-title berth with a win over Missouri.
6 Sam's the man
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford put up silly numbers in the Sooners' no-huddle offense and was rewarded with the 74th Heisman Trophy. Bradford became the second sophomore to win the award, following Florida quarterback Tim Tebow last year. Bradford orchestrated one of the most prolific offenses in college football history. He came into the BCS title game having already thrown for 48 touchdowns, with only six interceptions, and was averaging 343 passing yards a game. Bradford, who had two TD passes against Florida, is Oklahoma's fifth Heisman winner. He finished with 1,726 votes to beat out Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (1,640) and Tebow (1,575).
7 Big Ten blues
Ohio State's loss to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl capped a dreadful 1-6 bowl season for the Big Ten. Penn State's loss to USC in the Rose Bowl was the Big Ten's sixth straight in the Granddaddy and had some wondering whether the Pac-10/Big Ten partnership that started in 1947 should be discontinued. The Big Ten has not won a Rose Bowl since Jan. 1, 2000, when Wisconsin beat Stanford. The conference is now 15-28 in bowls since Ohio State won the national title in 2002, including 3-8 in BCS games.
8 Irish win bowl game!
