FIRST ROUND (Left Bracket)
Here are the 8 First Round Games on the left side of the bracket of our computer simulated historical Champions Tournament. The order of games below is in order of the bracket.
2001 Miami defeats 2006 Boise State, 52-28
This was the #1 vs. #32 matchup, and gave '06 Boise another shot at the ultimate upset, even greater than when they shocked the world and beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Here, the Broncos had no anwser for RB Clinton Portis who put in an MVP effort rushing for 228 yards and 5 TD's! The Hurricanes also controlled the air, as QB Ken Dorsey threw for 355 yards and 2 TD's. Meanwhile S Ed Reed picked off Boise State QB Jared Zabransky twice. The vaunted Cane Defense limited star RB Ian Johnson to just 65 yards. There would be no miracle ending here, as the #1 overall seed backed up their hype, winning 52-28.
2007 LSU defeats 2004 Auburn, 31-14
This #16 - #17 matchup put the lowest seeded Champion (2-loss LSU) against the highest ranked non-Champ (Undefeated Auburn). The Bayou Bengals limited Auburn's highly touted rush attack to under 100 yards rushing (Cadillac Williams 52 yards, Ronnie Brown 40 yards). They built a 21-0 halftime lead and held on in the second half. This one was surprisingly not that close at all. The LSU Tiger offense was efficient with Matt Flynn at the helm (17/30 258 yards, 2 TD) and Jacob Hester pounding the rock for 127 yards and a score. This team is further proving that their two triple-overtime losses were flukes- they will take on #1 overall seed 2001 Miami
2000 Oklahoma defeats 2010 Oregon, 35-21
2010 Oregon lost the Title Game on a last second FG by Auburn, they were given a second chance here in this tournament, and proved their worth. It looked as though a non-Champ was about to knock off a BCS Champion as Oregon took an early 21-0 lead. But "Big Game Bob" (Stoops) rallied his Sooners and QB Josh Heupel remained poised and led a great comeback, passing for 254 yards and 3 TD's. Quentin Griffin was named game MVP for his 154 rush yards and TD, but it was the Sooner Defense that totally shut down the Duck attack that deserved the most credit. This scrappy 2000 OU squad moves on to the Round of 16 after their comeback win
2010 Auburn defeats 2012 Notre Dame, 24-17
It was typical Cam Newton in this one, as he led the Tigers down the field in the closing minutes for the game-winning score, a 12 yard scramble. The Irish ground game was solid, with Theo Riddick topping 100 yards, but it was QB Everett Golson's inaccuracies - especially on third downs - that cost them the game. Both teams had a possesion in the waning minutes, and even though both teams were extremely resilient in their respective seasons, only Auburn got the job done here. 2010 Auburn will play 2000 Oklahoma in the round of 16...they are out there rolling Toomer's Corner as we speak!
2002 Ohio State defeats 1999 Marshall, 23-17
7 of Ohio States wins were within a score, keeping Buckeye Nation on the edge of their seats all season. This first round matchup with the underdog 1999 Marshall squad was no different, as they needed a late TD and defensive stop to hold on to the win. Chad Pennington put the Thundering Herd in a position to win, but it was the gutsy Craig Krenzel that led the game-winning scoring drive late in the 4th. The fierce Buckeye defense limited Marshall to just 1.2 yards per carry! Dustin Fox's INT sealed the win for Ohio State. RB Maurice Clarett added 97 rush yards. #4 Overall Seed 2001 Ohio State advances to the round of 16.
1999 Virginia Tech defeats 1996 Florida, 24-21
Finally, a non-Champion breaks through to the next round. Freshman Michael Vick led his Hokies past Heisman-Winner Danny Wuerfel's Gators. It was a close matchup here, but it was Vick's playmaking ability that was the difference. With the score tied at 21, Vick reeled off a 41 yard scramble that set up the game-winning FG as time expired. While they didn't completely stop Wuerfel, the Hokie Defense slowed down Spurrier's 'Fun and Gun' offense enough to pull off the upset victory. This was the Virginia Tech squad that lost to Florida State in the 1999 National Championship...they are given a second life in this tourney will play the resilient 2002 Buckeyes in the Round of 16.
2009 Alabama defeats 2001 Nebraska, 42-10
2001 Nebraska proved themselves worthy in their play-in victory over 2001 Oregon, however just like that year's postseason, the Huskers were thrown an all-time great opponent. We seeded 2009 Alabama as the #5 overall team, and they proved they were deserving of such praise. The Tide defense limited Heisman-Winner QB Eric Crouch to just 31 rush yards on 15 carries, totally shutting down the option attack. Meanwhile, Greg McElroy managed the game and let Heisman RB Mark Ingram take control of the game (132 rush yards, 2 TD). WIth the game out of question early, Alabama didnt really need to try their passing attack. The Tide rollls here, into the round of 16.
2008 Florida defeats 2006 Ohio State, 31-20
Buckeye fans cringe at the memory of facing the Gators in the National Championship- that was the 2006 team although this 2008 Florida team is very similar. It wasn't a blowout this time around, with Ohio State hanging around until the speed of Florida took over in the 4th quarter. Late Touchdowns by both Percy Harvin and Chris Rainey were the difference. Ohio State RB Chris "Beanie" Wells rushed for 205 yards, and Troy Smith added 220 pass yards, but inefficiencies in the redzone hurt the Buckeye cause. Tim Tebow didn't have as big a role as expected, tossing just one score, but he will surely be essential next round, against the team that brought him to tears in 2008...the Crimson TIde.
Tournament Schedule:
January 10th - Team Selection "Meet the Teams"
January 14th - Bracket Released
January 17th - Play-in games
January 21st - Opening Round pt. 1
January 24th - Opening Round pt. 2
January 28th - Second Round pt. 1
January 31st- Second Round pt. 2
February 7th - Elite Eight
February 14th - FINAL FOUR
February 21st - CHAMPIONSHIP
January 10th - Team Selection "Meet the Teams"
January 14th - Bracket Released
January 17th - Play-in games
January 21st - Opening Round pt. 1
January 24th - Opening Round pt. 2
January 28th - Second Round pt. 1
January 31st- Second Round pt. 2
February 7th - Elite Eight
February 14th - FINAL FOUR
February 21st - CHAMPIONSHIP
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