Our Favorite College Football Season Moments
This week, Ohio State earned its 9th National Championship title in an exciting finale against fellow powerhouse Notre Dame. The game was an intense showdown. Ohio State dominated comfortably for the most part, yet Notre Dame showed fierceness and determination to try to keep up, which unfortunately wasn’t enough.
The thrilling match was the perfect conclusion to an even greater season filled with highs and lows that we could’ve never expected. From unpredicted finales and love stories that seemed scripted to heroic gestures and unforeseen experts, it was a year for the books. To commemorate the conclusion of such a tremendous season, we’ve recapped our favorite moments that have lived rent-free in our minds these past months.
From Underdogs to Top Dogs
This season has been marked by surprising victories, with several unranked teams defeating top-10 contenders. The shocking upsets began early in the season when Northern Illinois defeated Notre Dame 16-14 in week 2, a game labeled “the largest underdog victory of the season.” For the championship finalists, this was the first loss to an unranked team while being ranked in the top 5 since 2005. This victory marked Northern Illinois's first-ever win against a top-five team!
In a surprising turn of events, Vanderbilt hosted the top-ranked Alabama team and achieved a historic victory, defeating them 40-35. To put this win into perspective, Alabama had an impressive 60-0 record when playing as the number-one team since 1978. During that same period, Vanderbilt had faced the top-ranked team seven times, losing each game, which made their record against number one teams 0-7 before this triumph. The occasion was so significant that fans celebrated by tearing down the goalposts and carrying them all the way to the Cumberland River.
In week 12, the ACC's newcomer, the Stanford Cardinals, achieved one of their only three wins of the season by defeating the Louisville Cardinals 38-35. This victory marked their third and final win of the season and represented their first triumph against an AP-ranked rival since 2021. While it was a small step in their season, it was a significant milestone in the team's history.
Farewell to the Goodest Boy
This season’s most heartbreaking loss wasn’t on the field but rather on the sidelines. Ben, the well-known and beloved dog of football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, passed away after a battle with cancer. It was not uncommon for Ben to make appearances during Kirk’s segments, bringing smiles and admiration to viewers. His presence became an essential part of college football coverage. His loss will undoubtedly leave a furry-shaped void in every college game day from now on.
A Complete Known
Timothée Chalamet seems to excel in every area, from acting and dancing to singing and now sports analyst. While promoting his latest film, a biopic about Bob Dylan titled "A Complete Unknown," he made an interesting choice to appear on College Game Day. There, he joined Pat McAfee and other experts in the pregame celebrations and participated in predicting the outcomes of upcoming games. Not only did Timothée display impressive knowledge of college football by referencing specific players and their track records, but he was also the only one to predict some of the results accurately. It was a refreshing experience to see him outside of his usual surroundings yet so much in his element.
Gold for Henry Silver
By now, everyone who loves college football is familiar with the College GameDay segment featuring Pat McAfee. In this segment, he selects a volunteer from the crowd and bets his own money on whether they can kick a field goal. Some participants succeed, while others fail. However, for Belle Sessions, the experience was not just about being a skilled kicker but about being smart with her approach.
When Belle was chosen to take the kick, she felt uncertain about her ability to score. Fortunately, she teamed up with soccer player Henry Silver to share the opportunity and the potential earnings. The prize money totaled $800,000, with $400,000 going to Belle and Henry and another $400,000 donated to a hurricane relief fund. While others might have faltered under pressure, Henry stepped up to the occasion and made a perfectly executed kick that sailed through the goalposts, earning both of them and the foundation a substantial amount.
The Season of Love
This year, we witnessed love expressed in its purest forms. On the field, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard had a perfect rom-com moment with his girlfriend after winning the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. Following the victory, he ran to her in the stands and celebrated with a kiss, complete with a backward cap—a scene reminiscent of Austin Ames in "A Cinderella Story."
In another cinematic display of romance, an actual wedding was celebrated during the Cheez-It Bowl, officiated by none other than a Cheez-It itself. While that may sound surreal, it captures the kind of magical moments that can only happen during a college football game, and we are absolutely here for it.
Ain’t No River Wide Enough
Nothing can stand in the way of two best friends and their team on game day. This determination was put to the test when the city was struck by a hurricane, resulting in water-filled roads. Undeterred, one friend got a raft to reach the other, ensuring they could make it to the game. Their perseverance paid off, as they eventually arrived and even appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay, proudly posing with their unique mode of transportation. This experience truly exemplified the meaning of being ride or die.
Game Recognizes Game
This season featured numerous games with a star-studded sideline, and our “Spotted in the Stands” radar was active every weekend. The college football league turned into a celebrity hotspot, making it thrilling to guess which celebrities would attend which matches.
Some of our favorite sightings this season included:
**Snoop Dogg at the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl**
If you follow any sport, you’ve likely seen Snoop Dogg at various events. This time, he not only attended but also orchestrated an entire bowl game in his name. He took on multiple roles, acting as sponsor, host, play-caller, sparkplug, band leader, play-by-play announcer, and most importantly, a fan.
**Sunni Lee Supporting Auburn University**
The incredibly talented gymnast returned to her alma mater to cheer on the Auburn football team in one of their matches, proudly displaying her gold and bronze medals from the recent Summer Olympics.
**Matthew McConaughey and Leon Bridges Supporting the University of Texas**
Texas-native actor Matthew McConaughey, a proud alumnus of the University of Texas, shows his support by attending games whenever possible. Leon Bridges, although originally from Atlanta, grew up just outside of Dallas and is also a Longhorns supporter. The two met while attending UT’s big rivalry game against Oklahoma, where the Longhorns triumphed with a score of 34-3.
**Glen Powell Supporting the University of Texas**
Another Texas native, Glen Powell, also attended a game for the Longhorns this season. As an Austin native, he showed his support while wearing a cowboy hat in true Texan style.
**NFL Icons Supporting Future Talents**
Current NFL players were also spotted at college games, remembering their roots and potentially inspiring young athletes. USC football alumni and current active NFL players, including Deontay Burnett, Sam Darnold, Michael Hutchings, Cam Smith, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Matt Lopes, returned to their alma mater for a game against Penn State. Drew Brees also made an appearance at a college game this season, catching up with coach Steve Sarkisian before the Texas vs—Georgia matchup.
On a Scale from 1-10, She’s 100!
College football is known for its passionate and devoted fans, but none compare to Miss Peggy's dedication to the Colorado Buffaloes over the past 80 years. Her loyalty is unmatched, and it begins when she and her twin sister, Betty, attend games as teenagers and fall in love with the team. Since then, Miss Peggy has been present at nearly every local game, setting a record for fan attendance and becoming a beloved figure among the team's supporters. She and Betty have become fixtures in the CU fandom, demonstrating unbreakable allegiance to the Buffaloes. Even after losing Betty in 2020, Miss Peggy has kept the team spirit alive. One of the most emotional moments this season occurred when she celebrated her 100th birthday in her happy place: the stands, cheering for her beloved team, surrounded by 50,000 fellow attendees singing “Happy Birthday” to her.