The Top 7 Best College Football Playoff Games Ever
Summary
The College Football Playoff era has produced several unforgettable contests. The 2018 Rose Bowl semifinal between Georgia and Oklahoma is often considered the benchmark, featuring a huge comeback and a walk-off touchdown in double overtime. That season concluded with an equally dramatic championship, where Alabama’s freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa delivered a legendary last-second throw to defeat Georgia.
Other historic moments include Ohio State’s 2015 upset of Alabama with a third-string quarterback and Clemson’s last-second touchdown to dethrone the Tide in 2017. Georgia’s 2022 title win finally overcame their Alabama hurdle, while Michigan’s 2024 Rose Bowl victory against the Tide provided a classic finale to the four-team playoff format. These games collectively define the drama and excellence of the CFP.
As we head into the College Football Playoff, it’s time to look back at the best games ever played since its inception in 2014. We’ve seen some of the most dramatic and unforgettable games in modern sports. Before the CFP, only two teams played for the national title, and now, 12 teams are competing for a championship. As we head into the first round, let’s look back at the greatest CFP games ever played.
1. Georgia 54 Oklahoma 48 (2OT) 2018 Rose Bowl – CFP Semifinal
The 2018 Rose Bowl stands as the gold standard—often called the greatest game of the playoff era and arguably one of the greatest bowl games ever. Heisman winner Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma offense started fast, carving up Georgia and racing out to a 31–14 lead late in the second quarter. But Georgia stormed back with a punishing ground game and relentless defense. Nick Chubb and Roquan Smith engineered a furious second-half surge that flipped the game’s rhythm entirely. The closing sequence remains iconic: Sony Michel’s walk-off 27-yard touchdown in the second overtime sent Georgia to its first national title appearance since 1982. Few games have ever mixed fireworks, drama, and elite talent like this one. It remains the benchmark for CFP excellence.
2. Alabama 26 Georgia 23 (OT) 2018 National Championship
If the Rose Bowl was the best semifinal ever, the 2018 national title game may be the most memorable championship. It introduced the world to Tua Tagovailoa and marked the beginning of a new era in Alabama football. Georgia dominated the first half, leading 13–0 and stifling Alabama at every turn. With his offense sputtering, Nick Saban made a stunning halftime decision: benching veteran quarterback Jalen Hurts for an untested true freshman. What followed was pure sports drama. Tua brought instant success as he revitalized the Tide. After forcing overtime, Alabama suddenly trailed again after Georgia’s field goal. On 2nd-and-26—now simply known as “2nd and 26”—Tua delivered one of the most famous throws in college football history: a 41-yard walk-off strike to DeVonta Smith, sealing an improbable comeback and adding another crown to Saban’s dynasty.
3. Ohio State 42 Alabama 35 – 2015 Sugar Bowl – CFP Semifinal
The first playoff semifinal ever also delivered one of the biggest upsets in CFP history. Ohio State entered the game as a massive 10-point underdog. They were on their third-string quarterback, Cardale Jones, after season-ending injuries to Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. Alabama, meanwhile, was the clear No. 1 seed and widely expected to roll. Instead, the Buckeyes played loose and fearless. Ezekiel Elliott’s legendary 85-yard touchdown run became an instant classic. OSU would go on to win the first CFP national title, but the Sugar Bowl stunner remains the true iconic moment.
4. Clemson 35 Alabama 31 – 2017 National Championship
This game delivered one of the most dramatic endings in college football history. For much of the night, Alabama controlled the game with its power run game and suffocating defense. But Deshaun Watson, already a CFP legend after dueling Alabama the year before, refused to fold. With Clemson trailing in the fourth quarter, Watson led a pair of masterful drives, including the final 68-yard march in the game’s closing seconds. The sealing moment – a 2-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow with one second left. It ended Alabama’s quest for a repeat and delivered Clemson its first championship since 1981. Watson’s performance remains one of the greatest by any quarterback in a title game.
5. Georgia 33 Alabama 18 – 2022 National Championship
While the score doesn’t suggest all-time drama, the story behind it elevates this game into the CFP’s pantheon. Georgia had spent 15 years overshadowed by Alabama, repeatedly falling short in big moments. The 2022 rematch—just weeks after Alabama beat Georgia in the SEC title game—became the night the Bulldogs changed everything. Early on, it was a defensive battle. But in the fourth, things got exciting as Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, once a walk-on and widely doubted starter, delivered multiple clutch throws, including a pivotal go-ahead touchdown. The defining moment came when Georgia corner Kelee Ringo jumped a pass for a late pick-six, sending Bulldog fans into a frenzy and ending the “Alabama curse.”
6. Clemson 29, Ohio State 23 – 2020 Fiesta Bowl – CFP Semifinal
Few games in CFP history have been as emotionally charged as the 2020 Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State entered undefeated and seeking revenge for years of Clemson torment; Clemson entered as defending champions but was doubted by many. OSU jumped out to a 16-0 lead – dominating both sides of the ball. But the Tigers responded as Trevor Lawrence’s 67-yard touchdown run ignited Clemson, and the momentum slowly turned. The defining sequence came late, when Clemson drove 94 yards in four plays to take the lead with under two minutes left. Ohio State still had a chance, but Justin Fields’ pass to Chris Olave was intercepted in the end zone – cementing the Tigers’ win.
7. Michigan 27 Alabama 20 (OT) – 2024 Rose Bowl – CFP Semifinal
The last great game of the four-team playoff era was a storybook Rose Bowl classic. Michigan, criticized for years as a playoff underachiever, finally broke through—doing it on the grandest stage against the sport’s greatest dynasty. Alabama led late and appeared poised for a game-closing drive, but Michigan’s defense delivered a massive fourth-down stop. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy then orchestrated one of the biggest drives in school history, finishing with a game-tying touchdown with under two minutes left. Then in OT, the Wolverines punched in the go-ahead TD and the defense stopped the Tide on fourth down – as Michigan advanced to the national championship game, which they would win by defeating Washington.
Conclusion
The College Football Playoff has had its share of blowouts, but its best games rank among the greatest ever played in the sport’s history. As the playoff expands, the landscape will change—and it won’t be long before we see other incredible games show up on this list.
