6.30.2009

BRACKET #56 FINALS

BRACKET #56
Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.
Click HERE for third round results.

BRACKET SEMI-FINALS

(73) 1998 Ohio State - 27
(184) 1994 Florida - 26
Steve Spurrier's Fun-N-Gun offense, featuring Terry Dean and Jack Jackson, came up just short against the Buckeyes.


(312) 1993 Texas A&M - 22
(56) 2006 Louisville - 28
The Wrecking Crew, paced by All Americans Sam Adams and Aaron Glenn, had their hands full with Bobby Petrino's powerful offense.

BRACKET FINAL

(73) 1998 Ohio State - 30
(56) 2006 Louisville - 28
It all fell apart for Louisville in the Bracket 56 final. The lack of emphasis on the defensive side of the ball reared its ugly head against yet another loaded John Cooper team.

Brian Brohm and the offense had success through the air, but with linebackers Andy Katzenmoyer and Na'il Diggs completely eliminating the running game, he had to be near perfect.

After a half of play, Louisville led 21-14 and seemed to be in good shape. But in the second half, the lack of a running game started to play a role. The Buckeyes started pinning their ears back and hitting Brohm on nearly every play, compiling 4 second half sacks in the process. After throwing for nearly 200 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half, Brohm only compiled 68 yards after the break.

When Antoine Winfield intercepted a pass and ran it back to the 7 yard line with the Buckeyes trailing 28-23 in the fourth quarter, it set up the game winning touchdown run by Michael Wiley.

It should be no surprise that this Ohio State team played their way into the Final 64 because they were the preseason #1 team and spent 10 weeks in the top spot until a heartbreaking loss to Michigan State. This tournament has given the '98 Buckeyes a shot at redemption, and they seem to be taking full advantage.

1998 Ohio State (#73 overall seed) advances to the Bracket of Champions. The Buckeyes will face the winner of Bracket 9 in the first round.

BRACKET #9 FINALS

BRACKET #9
Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.
Click HERE for third round results.

BRACKET SEMI-FINALS

(9) 1986 Penn State - 27
(265) 1990 Florida State - 20
The two headed quarterback monster of Casey Weldon and Brad Johnson didn't work out for the Seminoles, and Amp Lee went woefully underutilized in the loss.

(137) 1989 Auburn - 17
(393) 2002 Kansas State - 21
Quarterback Reggie Slack couldn't pull any miracles out of his hat today as Auburn fell to the underdog Wildcats.


BRACKET FINAL

(9) 1986 Penn State - 27
(393) 2002 Kansas State - 26 (OT)
This game was supposed to be a cake walk for Joe Paterno's heavily favored Nittany Lions. Not only are they the #9 overall seed in this tournament, they happened to be facing one of the lowest seeded teams still alive. But Kansas State would not go quietly into that dark night.

The Wildcat defense made it clear early on that they were ganging up to stop D.J. Dozier and Blair Thomas in the running game. Linebackers Terry Pierce and Josh Buhl were shooting the gaps and daring John Shaffer to beat them with his arm.

On the other side of the ball, Penn State linebacker Shane Conlan was doing the same against the K-State running game. But in the early going Darren Sproles and Ell Roberson had the upper hand because of their speed. Sproles had a nifty 22-yard touchdown jaunt for the first score of the game, and the Wildcats actually took a 14-7 lead into halftime.


But Joe Paterno made adjustments - he always does - bringing safety Ray Isom up into the box to spy Roberson and the Kansas State option game struggled for the rest of the game. On Penn State's second possession of the third quarter, quarterback John Shaffer managed to find tight end Brian Silverling streaking down the middle of the field for a 45-yard touchdown that tied the game up and finally shifted the momentum over to the side of the favorites.

Kansas State kept battling, though. Trailing 20-17 in the fourth quarter, Terence Newman returned a punt 63 yards down to the 10, setting up a Joe Rheem field goal that would tie the game and send it into overtime.

Penn State had the ball first in overtime where Dozier (just 43 yards rushing in regulation) finally got a little running room. The All American carried the ball all five plays and punched it in the end zone for a 27-20 lead. Darren Sproles answered with a lightning strike, spinning and juking his way 25 yards on the first play of the K-State possession to give the Wildcats all the momentum and an excellent shot at the huge upset. But then disaster struck. Joe Rheem, who missed six extra points during the 2002 season, picked the worst time imaginable to miss another one. He pulled the kick wide left and the chance at miraculously claiming a berth in the Bracket of Champions disappeared just like that.

1986 Penn State (#9 overall seed) advances to the Bracket of Champions. The Nittany Lions will face the winner of Bracket 56 in the first round.

6.29.2009

BRACKET #16 FINALS

BRACKET #16
Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.
Click HERE for third round results.

BRACKET SEMI-FINALS

(113) 2003 LSU - 35
(144) 1998 UCLA - 24
Cade McNown left everything on the field for the Bruins, but he didn't get much help from the defense in the blowout loss.

(241) 1993 Wisconsin - 17
(16) 1998 Tennessee - 26
The Tennessee defense was able to do what nobody else in this tournament has been able to: shut down Wisconsin's imposing RB duo of Brent Moss and Terrell Fletcher.


BRACKET FINAL

(113) 2003 LSU - 41
(16) 1998 Tennessee - 38 (3OT)
The first matchup featuring two national championship teams predictably produced one of the best games of the tournament to date.


Nick Saban's best team vs Phil Fulmer's best team; An SEC rivalry; great defense; a ton of points (thanks to the three overtime periods) - this game had it all. If you can believe it, the score at halftime was knotted up 7-7 thanks to the play of the defenses. Deon Grant had an interception and a sack for the Vols as they made a meal out of LSU QB Matt Mauck in the early going. Linebackers Al Wilson and Raynoch Thompson combined to take away the running game.

The LSU defense matched them play for play. Corey Webster picked off a Tee Martin pass and Chad Lavalais and Marcus Spears picked up sacks in the first half.

The offenses got it going a little bit in the second half, though. Tee Martin started the fireworks by scrambling out of the grasp of Marquise Hill and finding Peerless Price streaking down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. LSU answered with a nice 23-yard touchdown run by freshman tailback Justin Vincent, and the teams traded touchdowns one more time in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime.

With the defenses now worn down after a very intense four quarters, each team was able to score touchdowns on their possessions in the first two overtimes. In fact, after a first half of football that saw just 213 combined yards of total offense, the Tigers and Vols combined to amass over 550 yards in the second half and overtime periods.

Nick Saban had LSU playing with a chip on their shoulder that came from being an underdog yet again, and their toughness showed up in the third overtime period. After Jamal Lewis ran for 22 yards down to the 1 yard line on the second play of the Tennessee possession, Lavalais rallied his defensive troops and fired them up. The Tigers proceeded to hold Tennessee out of the end zone for the first time since late in the third quarter and force a field goal. Mauck wasted no time, grabbed the momentum and ran with it. The senior threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Devery Henderson on the first play of LSU's ensuing possession to win the game.

It's hard to believe the miracle '98 Volunteers won't be participating in the Bracket of Champions, but you've got to be better than great to win this tournament.

2003 LSU (#113 overall seed) advances to the Bracket of Champions. The Tigers will face the winner of Bracket 49 in the first round.

BRACKET #49 FINALS

BRACKET #49
Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.
Click HERE for third round results.

BRACKET SEMI-FINALS

(49) 1997 Florida State - 26
(305) 1996 North Carolina - 20
Mack Brown meets his nemesis and falls to Florida State once again.

(177) 1987 Oklahoma - 27
(80) 1991 Florida - 19
One of Steve Spurrier's early Florida teams, featuring Errict Rhett and Shane Matthews, came into this semi-final a little overmanned.

BRACKET FINAL

(49) 1997 Florida State - 24
(177) 1987 Oklahoma - 25
The 1987 Sooners joined their '86 counterparts in the Bracket of Champions while becoming the highest seeded team to play their way in so far. Florida State looked over-confident coming off their easy win over the '96 Tar Heels, and Barry Switzer's wishbone offense capitalized on that attitude.

With the Seminole defense concentrating more on talking trash than on their assignments, OU quarterback Jamelle Holieway proceeded to out-execute FSU. Linebackers Sam Cowart and Daryl Bush often bought fake pitches on the option, leaving the middle open for cut backs. Before anybody could blink, the Sooners had piled up a 13-0 lead over Bobby Bowden's heavily favored club.

FSU had too much talent to just go away, though, and Thad Busby proceeded to gear up the passing game to mount a comeback. Busby tossed the ball right down the field to lead the Seminoles first scoring drive, capped by a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Melvin Pearsall.

But the Sooners answered again. This time it was backup quarterback Charles Thompson taking an option keeper on another blown assignment 54 yards for a touchdown. The 'Noles blocked their second extra point attempt of the game, however, so the Sooners took a 19-7 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Barry Switzer decided to let his defense do the talking and go conservative on offense. The move appeared to pay off when safety Rickey Dixon picked off a Busby pass on the first drive to set up an OU field goal. But then Florida State's receivers turned on the afterburners. Over a 4 minute span late in the third quarter, E.G. Green and Peter Warrick each caught touchdown passes and suddenly the underdog Sooners found their lead had disappeared.

With a whole quarter to play, it looked as though the Seminoles would run away with this one. But they didn't. OU defensive end Darrell Reed sacked Busby twice in the fourth quarter, the second time causing a fumble that led to a go-ahead field goal for the Sooners. Then linebacker Dante Jones picked off a pass over the middle and the Oklahoma offense was able to run out the rest of the clock.

1987 Oklahoma (#177 overall seed) advances to the Bracket of Champions. The Sooners will face the winner of Bracket 16 in the first round.

BRACKET #48 FINALS

BRACKET #48
Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.
Click HERE for third round results.

BRACKET SEMI-FINALS

(81) 1988 USC - 23
(176) 1991 Penn State - 24
Rodney Peete and the Trojans were blindsided by Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions.

(209) 1994 Miami - 17
(48) 1996 Ohio State - 24
Even the loaded Miami defense (Warren Sapp, Ray Lewis) couldn't prevent the explosive Buckeyes from advancing.

BRACKET FINAL

(176) 1991 Penn State - 20
(48) 1996 Ohio State - 26
The Penn State secondary got off to a rough start, digging a hole the Nittany Lions could never dig out of. Stanley Jackson found Dimitrious Stanley wide open on a blown coverage on the second drive of the game to give Ohio State a 7-0 lead. Two plays later Shawn Springs picked off a Tony Sacca pass. Ohio State capitalized on another Penn State blown coverage when Jackson found freshman receiver David Boston all alone along the sideline for a 52-yard touchdown.


From there, Orlando Pace took over and Pepe Pearson started milking the clock on the ground. Pearson finished off JoePa's Lions with an impressive 162-yards rushing. O.J. McDuffie had a highlight catch for Penn State down the stretch, but even that was overshadowed by a hit he took on a kick return.


1996 Ohio State (#48 overall seed) advances to the Bracket of Champions. The Buckeyes will face the winner of Bracket 17 in the first round.

BRACKET #17 FINALS

BRACKET #17
Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.
Click HERE for third round results.

BRACKET SEMI-FINALS

(17) 1992 Alabama - 24
(240) 1980 Alabama - 17 (OT)
The '92 National Championship Tide needed overtime to eliminate Bear Bryant's 1980 Tide. Major Ogilvie and E.J. Junior fought hard but ultimately didn't have enough fire power.

(145) 2001 Nebraska - 37
(112) 2007 LSU - 34 (2 OT)
The first national champion to lose in the tournament - Glenn Dorsey and 2007 LSU didn't even make the bracket final.


BRACKET FINAL

(17) 1992 Alabama - 22
(145) 2001 Nebraska - 20
Frank Solich pulled out all the stops in this entertaining Bracket Final, but Gene Stallings had a few tricks of his own.

Both defenses came to play. Defensive ends John Copeland and Eric Curry completely took away the option game from Eric Crouch and the Huskers in the first half. Alabama even picked up a safety when Dahrran Diedrick fell on an errant option pitch in the end zone. On the other side of the ball DeJuan Groce and Willie Amos each picked off a Jay Barker pass prior to halftime. Alabama took a 5-3 lead going into the locker room at half.

That's when the coaches went to the chalk board and drew up some trick plays. Nebraska took the ball first in the second half and lined Crouch up in the shotgun and threw the ball around the yard a bit. Tracey Wistrom caught a 39-yard pass down the seam on the first play, and three plays later Thunder Collins took a swing pass 23 yards for the game's first touchdown.

Alabama answered with their first touchdown of the game two possessions later when David Palmer came around on a reverse - and threw a touchdown pass to Derrick Lassic. The two teams then exchanged field goals.

With Alabama leading 15-13 in the fourth quarter, Frank Solich called the same reverse pass Alabama scored on - with the same results. Mike Stuntz threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Eric Crouch to give Nebraska a 20-15 lead and all the momentum.


But Alabama didn't win the 1992 national championship by giving up when they fell behind. Derrick Lassic and Sherman Williams teamed up to lead a clock eating drive that set up the Tide at the 17 yard line with just 32 seconds left and a berth in the Bracket of Champions on the line. David Palmer rose to the occasion (again) by taking a toss from Barker, juking Keyuo Craver and blazing into the end zone for the game winning score.

1992 Alabama (#17 overall seed) advances to the Bracket of Champions. The Crimson Tide will face the winner of Bracket 48 in the first round.

6.28.2009

BRACKET #32 FINALS

BRACKET #32
Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.
Click HERE for third round results.

BRACKET SEMI-FINALS
(seed) year school - score

(97) 1977 Texas - 23
(160) 2005 Virginia Tech - 22
The Hokies' single orange sleeve didn't impress the old school Longhorns. Marcus Vick and Darryl Tapp exit the tournament empty handed.



(288) 1978 Michigan - 16
(32) 1993 Florida State - 27
The Seminoles speed was too much for Rick Leach and the Wolverines.

BRACKET FINAL

(97) 1977 Texas - 19
(32) 1993 Florida State - 31
This was a matchup of two Heisman Trophy winners with Charlie Ward quarterbacking for Florida State and Earl Campbell putting on the cape for the Longhorns. Texas head coach Fred Akers said before the game, "If we're going to be Florida State, we're going to need Earl to carry us."

So it was to nobody's surprise that the game plan involved getting the ball to Campbell as much as possible, and getting the stud running back on the field as much as possible. In fact, Campbell even blocked a punt in the first quarter that set up the first score of the game - a Campbell 2-yard touchdown plunge.

But then Charlie Ward took the game over. The Texas defensive line (Brad Shearer, Steve McMichael) managed to work their way into the backfield, but came up grasping at air as Ward took off out of the pocket. But Ward wasn't piling up the rushing yards - he was finding improvising receivers getting open late for big time third down conversions.

In fact, the only time the Seminole offense slowed down was when Bobby Bowden tried to force the running game into the gameplan. The Longhorns nearly climbed back into the game when FSU went 3-and-out two possessions in a row on six straight running plays out of the I-Formation. Earl Campbell added a touchdown in that stretch to make it a one score game at 24-19, but the Seminoles took to the air on the ensuing possession and Ward hit Tamarick Vanover on a 34-yard touchdown pass for the final margin of victory.

Earl Campbell finished with 33 carries for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns in a losing effort.

1993 Florida State (#32 overall seed) advances to the Bracket of Champions. The Seminoles will face the winner of Bracket 33 in the first round.

BRACKET #33 FINALS

BRACKET #33
Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.
Click HERE for third round results.

BRACKET SEMI-FINALS
(seed) year school - score

(33) 2000 Miami - 31
(289) 1998 Kansas State - 27
Michael Bishop was a bad man, but he didn't have enough in the tank to knock off Butch Davis' Hurricanes.


(161) 1995 Ohio State - 19
(96) 1986 Oklahoma - 30
The explosive Ohio State offense (Eddie George, Terry Glenn) was no match for a loaded Sooner defense.


BRACKET FINAL

(33) 2000 Miami - 23
(96) 1986 Oklahoma - 27

Barry Switzer was 0-3 against Miami in the 1980s, but here in The Greatest Tournament of all time, Switzer didn't have to face Jimmy Johnson's 'Canes. This time it was Butch Davis leading the favored Hurricanes into the Bracket 33 Final, with a berth in the Bracket of Champions on the line.

Two great defenses took the field in this classic rivalry. Miami was led by Dan Morgan and Ed Reed, while Oklahoma's D featured the incomparable Brian Bosworth. Bosworth was a monster early on against the Miami running game (James Jackson, Clinton Portis), and he even picked up a sack on Ken Dorsey.

On the other side of the ball, Miami's speed was neutralized by the running of fullback Lydell Carr and a 50-yard play action pass to Keith Jackson early in the game. That opened things up for quarterback Jamelle Holieway to break loose on a couple of option keepers.

But Miami refused to go away, and even regained the lead early in the third quarter when an Ed Reed interception return for touchdown put the 'Canes up 20-17. But Holieway bounced right back and confidently threw a touchdown pass to Keith Jackson on the ensuing possession to give the Sooners a lead they would not relinquish.

1986 Oklahoma (#96 overall seed) advances to the Bracket of Champions. The Sooners will face the winner of Bracket 32 in the first round.

6.27.2009

BRACKET #64 FINALS

BRACKET #64

Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.
Click HERE for third round results.

BRACKET SEMI-FINALS
(seed) year school - score

(65) 1982 Georgia - 30
(192) 1978 Clemson - 36 (3 OT)
Another Herschel Walker-led Georgia team goes down. It took three overtimes, but Danny Ford's Tigers claimed supremacy in the south over Vince Dooley's Bulldogs.


(193) 2004 Boise State - 29
(64) 1994 Florida State - 37
Sound familiar? Another Georgia team bites the dust - another Boise State team follows.


BRACKET FINAL

(192) 1978 Clemson - 20
(64) 1994 Florida State - 27
Florida State's speed was too much for the Tigers as the Seminole receivers ran circles around Clemson en route to advancing to the Bracket of Champions. Bobby Bowden has a number of teams projected to make the final field of 64 in this tournament, but the '94 squad is the first one to officially play their way in.

Kez McCorvey, Omar Ellison, and Warrick Dunn each caught touchdown passes from Danny Kanell. It was clear from the beginning that Bowden was going to test Rex Varn, Willie Jordan, and the rest of the Clemson secondary. Kanell threw for 275 yards on the day, 178 coming in the first half alone.

Clemson was able to mount a small comeback in the third quarter. Tailback Lester Brown was contained most of the day by Derrick Brooks and company, so Danny Ford called on his fullback Marvin Sims. Sims had two long runs to set up a Steve Fuller touchdown pass to Jerry Butler, but Clemson could never get closer than 7 points the rest of the way.

1994 Florida State (#64 overall seed) advances to the Bracket of Champions. The Seminoles will face the winner of Bracket 1 in the first round.

BRACKET #1 FINALS

BRACKET #1

Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.
Click HERE for third round results.

BRACKET SEMI-FINALS
(seed) year school - score

(1) 1983 Auburn - 20
(256) 1981 Georgia - 19
Herschel Walker and the Bulldogs come up just short against the #1 overall seed in the tournament.


(129) 1983 Texas - 21
(385) 2003 Boise State - 20
Dan Hawkins' Boise State offense had a hard time against a tough Longhorn defense, but the Broncos still almost toughed out a victory.

BRACKET FINAL

(1) 1983 Auburn - 19
(129) 1983 Texas - 16
It's not often a team gets a chance to avenge a loss, but this tournament affords those kinds of opportunities. Auburn's lone loss during the 1983 season came against Texas, who won that game 20-7. Well look who came calling to try to knock off the #1 overall seed in the tournament and advance to the Bracket of Champions (Final 64 in The Greatest Tournament of All Time).

Bo Jackson was held to just 35 yards rushing by Texas the first time around, but this time the All American was ready to go. Jackson started off the scoring on Auburn's second possession with a 29 yard touchdown run. Auburn later tacked on two field goals to take a 13-0 halftime lead.

Texas had a healthy Todd Dodge back at quarterback - he missed the game in 1983 - but he was off the mark in the passing game. Dodge only completed 7 of his 18 pass attempts in the ballgame. The first half was especially rough for the Longhorn offense, as Gregg Carr and the Tiger D held Texas to just 63 yards of offense. But the second half was a different story. Dodge capped an 80-yard drive to open the second half with a touchdown pass to Kelvin Epps.

But Auburn tacked on another touchdown later in the third quarter, a touchdown run by fullback Tommie Agee, and the defense held Texas to three Raul Allegre field goal attempts the rest of the way to secure the win and become the first team to officially advance to the Bracket of Champions.

1983 Auburn (#1 overall seed) advances to the Bracket of Champions. The Tigers will face the winner of Bracket 64 in the first round.

FINAL 256 - Remaining Teams By Year (1970s)

The following are the 23 teams from the 1970s still alive in The Greatest Tournament of All Time, divided up by season. Also included is the team's overall seed in the tournament and which bracket they are participating in. Remember that this tournament only takes into account the past 32 seasons of college football, meaning the 1977 season is the earliest season represented.

1977
seed  school           bracket
25 Penn State BR # 25
41 Notre Dame BR # 41
97 Texas BR # 32
118 Alabama BR # 11
125 Kentucky BR # 4
181 Arkansas BR # 53
187 Pittsburgh BR # 59

1978
seed  school           bracket
3 USC BR # 3
20 Alabama BR # 20
66 Penn State BR # 63
114 Oklahoma BR # 15
159 Notre Dame BR # 31
192 Clemson BR # 64
288 Michigan BR # 32
306 Nebraska BR # 50

1979
seed  school           bracket
50 USC BR # 50
71 Pittsburgh BR # 58
90 Alabama BR # 39
92 Houston BR # 37
152 Oklahoma BR # 24
154 Brigham Young BR # 26
172 Ohio State BR # 44
266 Nebraska BR # 10

FINAL 256 - Remaining Teams By Year (1980s)

The following are the 77 teams from the 1980s still alive in The Greatest Tournament of All Time, divided up by season. Also included is the team's overall seed in the tournament and which bracket they are participating in.

1980
seed  school           bracket
37 Pittsburgh BR # 37
68 Florida State BR # 61
79 Penn State BR # 50
94 Georgia BR # 35
124 North Carolina BR # 5
150 Brigham Young BR # 22
188 Nebraska BR # 60
231 USC BR # 26
240 Alabama BR # 17
283 Baylor BR # 27

1981
seed  school           bracket
28 Pittsburgh BR # 28
39 Clemson BR # 39
40 Penn State BR # 40
135 Miami BR # 7
255 Nebraska BR # 2
256 Georgia BR # 1

1982
seed  school           bracket
6 Penn State BR # 6
65 Georgia BR # 64
84 Nebraska BR # 45
122 UCLA BR # 7
213 SMU BR # 44
250 Clemson BR # 7
262 Florida State BR # 6

1983
seed  school           bracket
1 Auburn BR # 1
61 Georgia BR # 61
74 Miami BR # 55
87 Nebraska BR # 42
129 Texas BR # 1
130 Brigham Young BR # 2
140 Florida BR # 12

1984
seed  school           bracket
119 Florida BR # 10
138 Brigham Young BR # 10

1985
seed  school           bracket
58 Michigan BR # 58
63 Oklahoma BR # 63
67 Florida BR # 62
85 Penn State BR # 44
131 Tennessee BR # 3
153 Alabama BR # 25
173 Miami BR # 45
195 Iowa BR # 62
202 Texas A&M BR # 55
234 Air Force BR # 23
269 UCLA BR # 13

1986
seed  school           bracket
9 Penn State BR # 9
78 Miami BR # 51
96 Oklahoma BR # 33
155 Arizona State BR # 27
222 LSU BR # 35
259 Alabama BR # 3
342 UCLA BR # 43

1987
seed  school           bracket
7 Miami BR # 7
35 Florida State BR # 35
116 Syracuse BR # 13
151 LSU BR # 23
165 Auburn BR # 37
175 Nebraska BR # 47
177 Oklahoma BR # 49
229 Texas A&M BR # 28
233 UCLA BR # 24
550 South Carolina BR # 38

1988
seed  school           bracket
13 Notre Dame BR # 13
27 Miami BR # 27
59 Florida State BR # 59
81 USC BR # 48
148 UCLA BR # 20
206 West Virginia BR # 51
277 Auburn BR # 21
299 Wyoming BR # 43

1989
seed  school           bracket
12 Notre Dame BR # 12
47 Tennessee BR # 47
75 Miami BR # 54
86 Colorado BR # 43
106 Florida State BR # 23
137 Auburn BR # 9
186 Michigan BR # 58
194 USC BR # 63
242 Clemson BR # 15

FINAL 256 - Remaining Teams By Year (1990s)

The following are the 90 teams from the 1990s still alive in The Greatest Tournament of All Time, divided up by season. Also included is the team's overall seed in the tournament and which bracket they are participating in.

1990

seed school bracket

43 Colorado BR # 43
45 Georgia Tech BR # 45
109 Miami BR # 20
168 Washington BR # 40
265 Florida State BR # 9
310 Tennessee BR # 54
658 Oklahoma BR # 18

1991
seed  school           bracket
15 Miami BR # 15
21 Washington BR # 21
80 Florida BR # 49
123 Florida State BR # 6
126 Alabama BR # 3
163 Michigan BR # 35
176 Penn State BR # 48
287 Notre Dame BR # 31
364 Texas A&M BR # 21

1992
seed  school           bracket
17 Alabama BR # 17
55 Florida State BR # 55
103 Miami BR # 26
134 Notre Dame BR # 6
190 Texas A&M BR # 62
238 Michigan BR # 19
313 Georgia BR # 57

1993
seed  school           bracket
32 Florida State BR # 32
76 Auburn BR # 53
77 Notre Dame BR # 52
91 Nebraska BR # 38
101 West Virginia BR # 28
107 Florida BR # 22
139 Ohio State BR # 11
217 Penn State BR # 40
241 Wisconsin BR # 16
294 Miami BR # 38
312 Texas A&M BR # 56
339 Tennessee BR # 46

1994
seed  school           bracket
18 Penn State BR # 18
30 Nebraska BR # 30
64 Florida State BR # 64
102 Colorado BR # 27
105 Alabama BR # 24
169 Texas A&M BR # 41
184 Florida BR # 56
209 Miami BR # 48

1995
seed  school           bracket
11 Nebraska BR # 11
51 Florida BR # 51
69 Tennessee BR # 60
110 Northwestern BR # 19
133 Toledo BR # 5
161 Ohio State BR # 33
164 Colorado BR # 36
260 Notre Dame BR # 4
286 Kansas State BR # 30
295 Florida State BR # 39

1996
seed  school           bracket
24 Florida BR # 24
46 Florida State BR # 46
48 Ohio State BR # 48
104 Arizona State BR # 25
156 Nebraska BR # 28
182 Brigham Young BR # 54
185 Colorado BR # 57
267 Penn State BR # 11
285 Tennessee BR # 29
305 North Carolina BR # 49
308 Alabama BR # 52

1997
seed  school           bracket
23 Michigan BR # 23
26 Nebraska BR # 26
29 Tennessee BR # 29
49 Florida State BR # 49
57 Florida BR # 57
115 Auburn BR # 14
136 Georgia BR # 8
162 Kansas State BR # 34
180 UCLA BR # 52

1998
seed  school           bracket
16 Tennessee BR # 16
73 Ohio State BR # 56
88 Florida State BR # 41
144 UCLA BR # 16
157 Wisconsin BR # 29
183 Arizona BR # 55
289 Kansas State BR # 33
315 Air Force BR # 59

1999
seed  school           bracket
5 Florida State BR # 5
62 Nebraska BR # 62
98 Michigan BR # 31
127 Michigan State BR # 2
132 Alabama BR # 4
178 Virginia Tech BR # 50
210 Kansas State BR # 47
237 Marshall BR # 20
252 Penn State BR # 5

FINAL 256 - Teams Remaining By Year (2000s)

The following are the 66 teams from the 2000s still alive in The Greatest Tournament of All Time, divided up by season. Also included is the team's overall seed in the tournament and which bracket they are participating in.

2000
seed  school           bracket
14 Oklahoma BR # 14
33 Miami BR # 33
44 Virginia Tech BR # 44
95 Florida State BR # 34
111 Oregon State BR # 18
199 Nebraska BR # 58
204 Florida BR # 53

2001
seed  school           bracket
4 Miami BR # 4
72 Tennessee BR # 57
82 Oregon BR # 47
141 Florida BR # 13
145 Nebraska BR # 17
220 Texas BR # 37
249 Oklahoma BR # 8

2002
seed  school           bracket
8 Ohio State BR # 8
52 USC BR # 52
60 Georgia BR # 60
70 Miami BR # 59
147 Oklahoma BR # 19
179 Texas BR # 51
393 Kansas State BR # 9

2003
seed  school           bracket
99 USC BR # 30
113 LSU BR # 16
167 Oklahoma BR # 39
189 Miami(Ohio) BR # 61
270 Florida State BR # 14
292 Georgia BR # 36
343 Michigan BR # 42
385 Boise State BR # 1

2004
seed  school           bracket
10 USC BR # 10
22 Auburn BR # 22
34 Oklahoma BR # 34
42 Texas BR # 42
93 Utah BR # 36
193 Boise State BR # 64
223 Louisville BR # 34
245 California BR # 12
297 Miami BR # 41

2005
seed  school           bracket
2 Texas BR # 2
53 USC BR # 53
54 Penn State BR # 54
117 Ohio State BR # 12
160 Virginia Tech BR # 32

2006
seed  school           bracket
19 Florida BR # 19
56 Louisville BR # 56
89 USC BR # 40
100 Ohio State BR # 29
142 LSU BR # 14
143 Michigan BR # 15
191 Auburn BR # 63
278 Rutgers BR # 22

2007
seed  school           bracket
112 LSU BR # 17
158 Georgia BR # 30
196 Missouri BR # 61
211 West Virginia BR # 46
239 Kansas BR # 18
301 USC BR # 45
316 Ohio State BR # 60
347 Oklahoma BR # 38

2008
seed  school           bracket
31 Texas BR # 31
36 Florida BR # 36
83 Utah BR # 46
108 Oklahoma BR # 21
121 USC BR # 8
215 Alabama BR # 42
281 Boise State BR # 25

6.26.2009

THIRD ROUND - All Schools (A-M)

Third round results for all schools (A-M):
                                          best
SCHOOL W-L Win% team
left
Air Force 2-0 100.0% '85
Alabama 12-6 66.7% '92
Arizona 1-1 50.0% '98
Arizona State 2-3 40.0% '96
Arkansas 1-5 16.7% '79
Auburn 8-5 61.5% '83
Baylor 1-2 33.3% '80
Boise State 3-2 60.0% '06
Boston College 0-4 0.0% --
Bowling Green 0-3 0.0% --
BYU 5-6 45.5% '83
California 1-2 33.3% '04
Central Michigan 0-1 0.0% --
Cincinnati 0-1 0.0% --
Clemson 4-7 36.4% '81
Colorado 5-3 62.5% '90
Colorado State 0-2 0.0% --
Florida 13-4 76.5% '06
Florida State 17-6 73.9% '99
Fresno State 0-2 0.0% --
Georgia 9-5 64.3% '02
Georgia Tech 1-2 33.3% '90
Grambling 0-1 0.0% --
Hawaii 0-4 0.0% --
Houston 1-3 25.0% '79
Illinois 0-3 0.0% --
Iowa 1-5 16.7% '04
Kansas 1-1 50.0% '07
Kansas State 5-3 62.5% '97
Kentucky 1-0 100.0% '77
Louisiana Tech 0-1 0.0% --
Louisville 2-0 100.0% '06
LSU 5-3 62.5% '07
Marshall 1-0 100.0% '99
Maryland 0-5 0.0% --
McNeese State 0-1 0.0% --
Miami 16-5 76.2% '01
Miami(OH) 1-1 50.0% '03
Michigan 9-12 42.9% '97
Michigan State 1-2 33.3% '99
Missouri 1-2 33.3% '07

THIRD ROUND - All Schools (N-Z)

Third round results for all schools (N-Z):
                                          best
SCHOOL W-L Win% team
left
Nebraska 15-10 60.0% '95
New Mexico 0-1 0.0% --
North Carolina 2-4 33.3% '80
North Carolina State 0-1 0.0% --
North Texas 0-2 0.0% --
Northern Illinois 0-1 0.0% --
Northwestern 1-0 100.0% '95
Notre Dame 8-4 66.7% '89
Ohio State 9-8 52.9% '02
Oklahoma 13-6 68.4% '00
Oklahoma State 0-2 0.0% --
Oregon 1-3 25.0% '01
Oregon State 1-0 100.0% '00
Penn State 13-7 65.0% '82
Pittsburgh 4-2 66.7% '81
Purdue 0-1 0.0% --
Rutgers 1-0 100.0% '06
San Diego State 0-1 0.0% --
San Jose State 0-1 0.0% --
SMU 1-2 33.3% '82
South Carolina 1-1 50.0% '87
Southern Miss 0-2 0.0% --
Stanford 0-3 0.0% --
Syracuse 1-6 14.3% '87
TCU 0-3 0.0% --
Temple 0-1 0.0% --
Tennessee 9-4 69.2% '98
Texas 7-8 46.7% '05
Texas A&M 6-2 75.0% '94
Texas Tech 0-1 0.0% --
Toledo 1-1 50.0% '95
Tulane 0-1 0.0% --
Tulsa 0-1 0.0% --
UCLA 7-2 77.8% '82
USC 12-4 75.0% '78
Utah 2-3 40.0% '08
Virginia 0-4 0.0% --
Virginia Tech 3-7 30.0% '00
Washington 2-8 20.0% '91
Washington State 0-4 0.0% --
West Virginia 3-5 37.5% '93
Western Michigan 0-1 0.0% --
Wisconsin 2-4 33.3% '98
Wyoming 1-0 100.0% '88

THIRD ROUND - Top Schools Still Alive

The following are the schools with the most number of teams still alive in The Greatest Tournament of All Time. Considering there are "only" 256 teams left after three rounds of play, this is quite an impressive list to be on.

# OF OVERALL
TEAMS TOURNAMENT BEST
SCHOOL LEFT RECORD TEAM

1. Florida State 17 69-15 '99
2. Miami 16 62-12 '01
3. Nebraska 15 69-17 '95
4. Penn State 13 58-16 '82
Oklahoma 13 56-17 '00
Florida 13 56-18 '06
7. USC 12 51-18 '78
Alabama 12 52-19 '92
9. Michigan 9 60-22 '97
Ohio State 9 52-22 '02
Tennessee 9 42-21 '98
Georgia 9 46-23 '02
13. Auburn 8 43-22 '83
Notre Dame 8 42-23 '89
15. Texas 7 44-23 '05
UCLA 7 33-22 '82
17. Texas A&M 6 30-23 '94
18. Kansas State 5 23-10 '97
Colorado 5 26-18 '90
LSU 5 33-22 '07
BYU 5 36-25 '83
22. Pittsburgh 4 22-16 '81
Clemson 4 34-27 '81
24. Boise State 3 17-7 '04
Virginia Tech 3 30-23 '00
West Virginia 3 25-23 '93

THIRD ROUND - Schools Eliminated

We started out with 2,048 total teams in the field, which included 146 different schools. The third round began with 512 teams and 85 different schools. Now that the third round games have been completed, there are but 256 total teams and 55 schools still alive.

The following is a list of the 30 schools that didn't make it past the third round.

                       OVERALL        # OF
TOURNAMENT TEAMS IN
SCHOOL RECORD 3RD RD.

Boston College 18-22 4
Bowling Green 12-14 3
Central Michigan 10-17 1
Cincinnati 4-16 1
Colorado State 9-17 2
Fresno State 13-19 2
Grambling 2-1 1
Hawaii 10-20 4
Illinois 11-17 3
Louisiana Tech 2-12 1
Maryland 16-22 5
McNeese State 3-3 1
New Mexico 3-10 1
North Carolina State 9-23 1
North Texas 4-6 2
Northern Illinois 4-10 1
Oklahoma State 11-18 2
Purdue 10-19 1
San Diego State 4-14 1
San Jose State 4-13 1
Southern Miss 14-28 2
Stanford 9-20 3
TCU 9-14 3
Temple 2-6 1
Texas Tech 10-25 1
Tulane 3-7 1
Tulsa 5-14 1
Virginia 18-24 4
Washington State 12-15 4
Western Michigan 3-16 1

6.25.2009

THIRD ROUND - Bracket 47 Results

BRACKET #47

Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.

RESULTS - Round of 512

(82) 2001 Oregon - 24
(431) 1983 Michigan - 23
Michigan started off strong, but Harrington magic prevailed in the end. Quarterback Steve Smith had good chemistry with TE Sim Nelson in the first quarter, and the running of Rick Rogers opened up a play action pass to Triando Markray that went 67 yards for a touchdown. Michigan held a 17-7 lead at halftime, but Joey Harrington and the Ducks took over in the second half. Harrington directed three scoring drives - all spanning over 75 yards - and lived up to his "Captain Comeback" nickname. Onterrio Smith helped out along the way, rushing for 66 yards and catching a touchdown pass in the second half alone.

(338) 1984 Oklahoma State - 16
(175) 1987 Nebraska - 26
Quarterback Steve Taylor led the Huskers out to an early 14-0 lead on two touchdown passes and never looked back. Thurman Thomas only eeked out 45 yards rushing against the Blackshirts.



(210) 1999 Kansas State - 27
(303) 2006 Wisconsin - 19
Bret Bielema's first Wisconsin squad was often criticized for playing a weak schedule, and it finally caught up to them in this tournament. Ironically, the Badgers run came to an end against Bill Snyder and Kansas State - a school renowned for playing weak schedules. Linebacker Mark Simoneau brought the lumber and knocked around Wisconsin RB P.J. Hill all game long. Safety Jarrod Cooper locked up on TE Travis Beckum and held him scoreless. David Allen broke the game open early in the third quarter with a 78-yard punt return that set up an easy Jonathan Beasley touchdown.



(559) 1990 San Jose State - 20
(47) 1989 Tennessee - 28
After a close call in the second round, the '89 Volunteers dismissed San Jose State with relative ease in the third round. Reggie Cobb had a 79-yard touchdown run and Alvin Harper caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Andy Kelly in the win. Spartan QB Ralph Martini caught fire for a short time in the fourth quarter and tacked on a couple late touchdowns to make the score look closer than it actually was. But tailback Sheldon Canley could never get going against Johnny Majors' tough Tennessee front seven.



Bracket Semifinals:
(82) 2001 Oregon vs (175) 1987 Nebraska
(47) 1989 Tennessee vs (210) 1999 Kansas State

THIRD ROUND - Bracket 18 Results

BRACKET #18

Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.

RESULTS - Round of 512

(18) 1994 Penn State - 36
(495) 2003 Maryland - 23
The mighty Penn State offense rolled through yet another opponent, putting 36 points on the board against a solid Maryland team. Even Shawne Merriman's 3 sacks couldn't shake up PSU quarterback Kerry Collins, who threw for 288 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ki-Jana Carter was slowed down largely due to Terp safety Madieu Williams playing in the box most of the game. Maryland quarterback Scott McBrien played a gutsy game, escaping the Nittany Lion rush time after time. But he got little help from the running game (Bruce Perry and Josh Allen), and simply couldn't keep pace with Penn State.

(751) 2000 TCU - 21
(239) 2007 Kansas - 27
The underrated Kansas defense loaded up to slow down LaDainian Tomlinson and managed to hold the talented tailback to just under 100 yards in the game. LaTarence Dunbar picked up some of the slack, returning a punt for a touchdown, but TCU quarterback Casey Printers couldn't beat the defense with his arm because Aqib Talib and Darrell Stuckey were back there in the Jayhawk secondary. Each came away with an interception in the ballgame. The Kansas passing game, on the other hand, came up with the big play when they needed it. Todd Reesing found Marcus Henry on a 72-yard touchdown bomb early in the fourth quarter for what gave KU the deciding 27-21 margin.



(146) 2003 Ohio State - 20
(658) 1990 Oklahoma - 23
An underrated Oklahoma team that was flawless in the 1990 season - other than a 3 game losing streak in the middle of the season - showed Jim Tressel's Buckeye's who the boss was in the trenches. In yet another upset in this tournament by the '90 Sooners, they controlled the trenches and put up over 300 yards rushing against a supposedly superior foe. The Ohio State defensive line of Will Smith, Tim Anderson, Darrion Scott, and Simon Fraser may be athletic, but when Oklahoma backs Kenyon Rasheed, Dewell Brewer, and Otis Taylor came running downhill at them time after time they couldn't withstand the beating.

(402) 1990 Michigan - 23
(111) 2000 Oregon State - 26
Ken Simonton was the story for Oregon State in this third round matchup. The 5-foot-7 tailback carried the ball 32 tims for 167 yards to keep the chains moving all game long. Simonton reached the end zone twice, but his hard nosed running set the Beavers up in the red zone several times, which led to kicker Ryan Cesca kicking 4 short field goals in the game. On the other side of the ball, a fast Oregon State defense swarmed Michigan tailbacks Jon Vaughn and Ricky Powers, and hit quarterback Elvis Grbac repeatedly. In fact, fullback Jarrod Bunch was the only Wolverine to have any success.



Bracket Semifinals:
(18) 1994 Penn State vs (239) 2007 Kansas
(111) 2000 Oregon State vs (658) 1990 Oklahoma

6.24.2009

THIRD ROUND - Bracket #13 and #52 Results

BRACKET #13



(13) 1988 Notre Dame - 31
(525) 2000 Clemson - 17

Quite possibly Lou Holtz's best team in the tourny, they did not disappoint in this one, as Tommy Bowden had no answer for the Notre Dame D. The Defensive trio of Chris Zorich, Mike Stonebreaker and Frank Stams, shut down the rushing offense of the Tigers and limited the dynamic Woodrow Dantzler to a very rough day. Clemson started out strong on the opening drive as Dantzler hit Rod Gardner on the games first play for 58 yards and set up a short Travis Zachary touchdown. Then a fumble by QB Tony Rice on their opening drive set up another short yardage touchdown by Zachary and Clemson was up 14-0 after 5 minutes, it looked the upset of the tournament. But then the Rocket took off and returned the next kickoff for a 82 yard touchdown, then the rest of the afternoon Woodrow was pounded into the turf and was limited to 60 yards total offense in the second half. Also the Irish offense stabilized with Tony Rice and he led them to the next round. Stat line: LB Frank Stams 10 tackles 6 Tfls 4 sacks.

(269) 1985 UCLA - 25
(244) 2005 TCU - 24

In a game that game down to one play it was UCLA wideout Mike Sherrard in the back of the end zone and getting the one foot down over TCU DB Marvin White to give the Bruins their only touchdown of the day and secure the victory and move on to the next round. UCLA kicker John Lee was the story in this one kicking 6 FG's as the TCU defense played a great game until the the very last play. DL Chase Ortiz and Tommy Blake were the 3rd down specialists in this one stifling the Bruin offense 10 times in the redzone, keeping the score close all game. With the score 18-17, QB Tye Gunn filling in for the injured Jeff Ballard ran for a 25 yard touchdown to put the Frogs up 24-18. After a very good 50 yard kick off return by Mel Farr Jr. at the 3 minute mark it set up the drive to cap the victory.


(141) 2001 Florida - 37
(372) 1979 Purdue - 16

The Fun and Gun was alive and well in this one as the Gators had their way with the very overmatched Purdue squad led by Jim Young. Purdue QB Mark Herrman was sacked 8 times on the day and was knocked out the game several times in this one. Gator DL Alex Brown led the charge with 5 sacks and Tron Lafavor 2 sacks, Mike Nattiel and Andra Davis with 1 each limited the Boilermakers to only 160 yards total offense. The Gator secondary also showed up with Lito Sheppard picking off two passes (one for a TD) and Marquand Manuel getting the other as this was over before it started. The Gator OL gave QB Rex Grossman all day to pick apart the defense and hit 8 different players with 2 or more receptions on the day. TB Ernest Graham also rushed for 150 yards and this Florida team maybe one to watch in the next round. The is another team in which it is probably the coaches best as Steve Spurrier leds these Gators to the next round.


(397) 2007 BYU - 20
(116) 1987 Syracuse - 26

This was a battle between two prolific offenses from two decades. BYU led by Max Hall and the Cuse QB Don McPhearson, but it was a defensive play by DL Rob Burnett that sealed the victory for the Orangemen. Max Hall who passed for 340 yards was pressed on the last play and chased down by Burnett and fumbled into the waiting arms of LB Terry Bowden, which set up a 25 yard touchdown from McPhearson to WR Tommy Kane to put the Orange up for good.

Bracket Semifinals:
(13) 1988 Notre Dame vs (269) 1985 UCLA
(116) 1987 Syracuse vs (141) 2001 Florida

----------------------------

BRACKET #52

(77) 1993 Notre Dame - 31
(589) 2007 Cincinnati - 23
The pesky Bearcats almost pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tourny, but it was a Bobby Taylor interception of Dustin Grutza, and returned it for a touchdown in the 4th to seal the victory for the Irish. DL Brian Young's pressure on Grutza forced him to make a quick decision and it cost the Bearcats the game. Despite the interception the Bearcats D held the Irish to only 320 total offense. DT Terril Byrd got 5 TFLS and the dynamic duo of DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens each had a intercepion of QB Kevin McDougal. The star for the Irish offense in this game was RB Lee Becton who carried the Irish for 120 yards and 2 TD's, also WR Lake Dawson also added a 32 yard touchdown. So Brian Kelly in his 1st year with the Bearcats, came close to pulling off the upset of the tournament.

(333) 1994 Colorado State - 26
(180) 1997 UCLA - 34

In another close game it took the special teams of Colorado State to keep the game close but it was Cade McNown to Danny Farmer too much as the Bruin slide by to the next round. Colorado State used a Fake punt by Punter Matt McDougal to complete a pass to DB Andre Strode streaking down the sideline to cut the lead to 20-17. After a long drive by the Bruins to get down to the 32 yard line, a blocked FG by Ram DB Ray Jackson brought the Rams down to the UCLA 19. After 3 plays, Anthony Hill then pitched to EJ Watson and he pushed in way in the endzone to give the Rams their first lead of the game at 23-20(Rams missed the xp). After the fireworks of the Rams special teams were over it was the Cade to Farmer show. At the start of the 4th quarter Cade hit Farmer on one drive 6 times and set up a short Skip Hicks 5 yard TD, then later in the 4th after a UCLA S Shaun Williams interception of QB Anthony Hill, Danny Farmer caught a 62 yard touchdown to secure the 3rd round victory. Stat line: Skip Hicks 15 carries 141 yards.




(205) 2000 Oregon - 20
(308) 1996 Alabama - 21

In a very close battle, it was a Interception of Joey Harrington by Alabama DB Fernando Bryant in the final drive to seal the victory for the Tide. Joey Harrington was batted around in the first half by Michael Myers and Duane Rudd limiting him to only 120 yards passing at the half. In the second half it was all Harrington, with his team down 14-0, he hit WR Keenan Howry for a 60 yard TD and then on the next drive found a wide open Justin Peele in the end zone to knot the game up at 14-14. Then the game came down to four plays in the 4th quarter, Bama QB Freddie Kitchens, who played very close to vest all day tried to thread the needle to WR Calvin Hill but it was picked off by Oregon Ball hawk Rashad Bauman. Then on the following play Joey Harrington hit TB Maurice Morris in the flat and he did the rest scoring from 42 yards out and making the score 20-14(missed XP by Josh Frankel, who kick was tipped by DT Ozell Powell). After that the Tide went on a methodical 14 play drive with RB tandem Dennis Riddle and Shaun Alexander, and a crucial 3rd down completion to TE Rod Rutledge to set up the 5 yard screen up the middle score by Riddle, which gave the Tide the 21-20 advantage. But Joey Harrington didn't give up he took the Ducks down the field in 1 minute 30 but force it into double coverage and Deshea Townsend tipped the ball into the waiting hands of Fernando Bryant. Great Game!



(461) 2003 Bowling Green - 21
(52) 2002 USC - 37

This was a game of Run vs the Pass, and the pass was just too much. Bowling Green pounded the ball for 344 yards on the ground and USC threw for 424 as the Trojans move on to the next round. USC jumped all over the Falcons as Carson Palmer scored on his first 3 drives with two scores to Keary Colbert and one to Mike Williams to go out to the 21-0 lead. The Falcons looked really overmatched. But then Bowling Green coach Urban Meyer rallied his troops at the end of 1st quarter and the team responded as run game woke up and Raishuan Stover busted thru the Trojan DL and rumbled 66 yards for the Falcons first score, then on a fumble by Sultan McCullough, RB BJ Lane scored on a 14 yard run to cut the lead to 21-14. Another USC fumble by Mike Williams put the ball into Bowling QB Josh Harris with 1 minute left before the half and he drove the team 48 yards for the 6 yard scamper to knot the game at 21-21 at the half. USC coach was livid in the halftime speech to his team and they came out with a vengence after the half as Carson Palmer hit Kareem Kelly for a 52 yard score and Sultan McCullough made up for a fumble early in the game and plunged in for a 4 yard score to pull away from Urban Meyer Falcons. To add insult to injury the Trojans DB Troy Polamalu pounded QB Josh Harris in his endzone to get the safety and the Trojans celebrated by doing a tribute to the old fun bunch, which sent Urban Meyer thru the roof. Stat lines: Bowling Green RB PJ Pope 146 yards 1 TD, RB Raishaun Stover 107 yards 1 TD, USC RB Sultan McCullough 132 yards 1 TD, 9 different USC players caught a pass from Carson Palmer, Carson Palmer 372 yards 4 TD, Bowling Green had 5 sacks to USC 1.

Bracket Semifinals:
(77) 1993 Notre Dame vs (180) 1997 UCLA
(52) 2002 USC vs (308) 1996 Alabama

6.23.2009

THIRD ROUND - Bracket 36 Results

BRACKET #36
this post was guest written by C.Rock.

Click HERE for first round results.
Click HERE for second round results.

RESULTS - Round of 512

(93) 2004 Utah - 37
(420) 2004 Michigan - 24
Contrary to what some experts might have thought, this Utah team is for real. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said "I told our boys that all they needed to do was watch the game film of Utah's Fiesta Bowl matchup with Pittsburgh and they'd know what I've been talking about. Well, I assure you that whoever, whether it be a Wolverine fan or player, is a believer in these Utes now." Alex Smith side stepped LaMarr Woodley all afternoon while picking on Marvin Jackson to hit his favorite target Paris Warren to the tune of 14 catches for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns. Chad Henne had a respectable first half hooking up with Braylon Edwards for 6 completions but it was the Eric Weddle interception returned for a touchdown at the end of the second quarter that deflated Michigan for good.

(349) 2003 Utah - 22
(164) 1995 Colorado - 30
Apparently Urban Meyer spent so much time game planning for his matchup with 2004 Michigan that he left 1995 Colorado on the backburner. John Hessler played pitch and catch with Rae Carruth all day as Morgan Scalley and Eric Weddle were left befuddled in the secondary. The final blow for Utah came on their potential game tying drive as Matt Russell showed why he was a great one by stripping Brandon Warfield of the ball and recovering the fumble himself to seal the deal.

(221) 2004 Georgia - 19
(292) 2003 Georgia - 20
This game must have felt like a spring scrimmage to the Georgia fans. David Greene circa 2004 went play for play with David Greene circa 2003. The first half played out as one might have thought, tied up 13-13 at halftime. Early in the second half, '03 David Greene found Reggie Brown('03) on a crossing route that tied up All America safety Thomas Davis('04) allowing Brown('03) to take it to the house. With time running down in the fourth quarter, David Greene('04) found Leonard Pope(the only offensive star not playing double duty) for a 15 yard score bringing '04 Georgia within one point at 20-19. In what will remain a controversial call for years to come, Mark Richt tried to outsmart Mark Richt with a fake extra point attempt. Hoping that '03 Richt wouldn't notice, '04 Richt put David Greene('04) in the game as the holder, only to have him roll left on the fake. All-American David Pollack('03) having recognized the move at the snap swung wide and was able to bat down Greene's('04) two point pass attempt to Fred Gibson('04) who was sitting wide open in the back corner of the end zone thus setting off one of the wildest celebrations in the tournament as no fan could decide whether to cheer or look on in utter confusion in what Richt - the 2004 version - must have been thinking.



(548) 2002 North Carolina State - 17
(36) 2008 Florida - 39
Urban Meyer led his National Champion Florida Gators into this matchup with Chuck Amato's Wolfpack thinking of nothing more than just another speed bump en route to winning The Greatest Tournament of All Time. Philip Rivers and Jericho Cotchery never got in rhythm in this one as Brandon Spikes, Carlos Dunlap and Major Wright turned up the heat causing 4 turnovers in the first half. Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin took those 4 turnovers and turned them into a 23-0 lead before NC State knew what hit them. Amato riled up the troops at halftime, but was never able to make up any ground as the Pack fell to a real heavyweight in the tournament with little more than a whimper. We very well could be headed for an Urban Meyer vs Urban Meyer bracket 36 final.



Bracket Semifinals:
(93) 2004 Utah vs (164) 1995 Colorado
(36) 2008 Florida vs (292) 2003 Georgia