Ah, college football. Where rivalries run deep, halftime shows are a sight to behold, and scoreboards light up brighter than Vegas. We’ve seen stellar defenses and juggernaut offenses, but sometimes the points just keep rolling in like there’s no tomorrow. Let’s dig into the annals of history and relive some of those high-scoring, edge-of-your-seat thrillers in NCAA history.
Highest Scoring College Football Game Ever
Let’s wind back the clock to 1916. The protagonists of our story: Georgia Tech and Cumberland. Expectations were high, the stadium brimming with anticipation. As the first whistle blew, little did anyone know they were about to witness history. Georgia Tech steamrolled over Cumberland in a one-sided massacre, racking up a staggering 222 points to Cumberland’s paltry 0.
It wasn’t just a victory—it was a spectacle of dominance and a showcase of Georgia Tech’s sheer offensive prowess. The team, led by coach John Heisman (yes, the trophy’s namesake), made a statement that day that resonates even after a century. This game remains firmly etched in the annals of college football as the highest-scoring game and the most lopsided victory ever.
Highest Scoring Playoff Games
Now let’s switch gears and take a look at some of the highest-scoring playoff games in the annals of college football. These are the showdowns where both teams were firing on all cylinders, making for some of the most exciting contests in NCAA history.
- 2018 Rose Bowl – Georgia (54) vs. Oklahoma (48): 102 total points The 2018 Rose Bowl is etched in the memory of fans for its high-octane offensive play. The Georgia Bulldogs and the Oklahoma Sooners traded blows in a relentless back-and-forth game that saw a whopping 102 points scored, the highest ever in a playoff game. The Bulldogs ultimately triumphed, but not before the Sooners gave them a run for their money.
- 2023 Fiesta Bowl – TCU (51) vs. Michigan (45): 96 total points The recent 2023 Fiesta Bowl also makes this list, thanks to the offensive masterclass put on by TCU and Michigan. With a combined score of 96, it was a nail-biting affair that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
- 2019 Peach Bowl – LSU (63) vs. Oklahoma (28): 91 total points The 2019 Peach Bowl was more of a one-sided affair, with LSU showcasing their offensive prowess against Oklahoma. The Tigers racked up 63 points on their own, contributing significantly to the 91-point total.
- 2016 National Championship Game – Alabama (45) vs. Clemson (40): 85 total points The 2016 National Championship game between Alabama and Clemson was an epic showdown. With a combined score of 85, this game served as a reminder of why these two teams are considered among the best in college football history.
- 2023 Peach Bowl – Georgia (42) vs. Ohio State (41): 83 total points The 2023 Peach Bowl featured an intense, closely-fought match between Georgia and Ohio State. Both teams traded points throughout, keeping fans guessing until the end. The final score tally of 83 points ensures this game’s place among the highest-scoring playoff games.
It’s clear that when the stakes are high, the scores can go even higher. These thrilling playoff games have provided fans with plenty of unforgettable moments, proving that high-scoring college football isn’t just about numbers, but also about the passion, talent, and excitement that make the sport so beloved.
Highest Scoring Championship Game
Fast forward to the present day, specifically the 2023 championship game between the Georgia Bulldogs and TCU. From the get-go, Georgia was firing on all cylinders. The Bulldogs’ offense was in peak form, bulldozing TCU’s defense to amass a championship-record 58 points. TCU tried valiantly to keep pace but fell short, adding another high-scoring game to Georgia’s tally. This blowout victory solidifies Georgia’s position in college football history and further exemplifies the potency of college offenses when they hit their stride.
Honorable Mentions
While these games mentioned above took scoring to new heights, there’s no shortage of other offensive showcases in college football history. Here are some other noteworthy high-scoring affairs:
- Texas Tech vs. Texas, 2020: A Big 12 showdown that totaled 119 points, with Texas Tech prevailing 63-56.
- Navy vs. North Texas, 2007: Tied at 49 at the end of regulation, it took the longest game in FBS history (and 25 total touchdowns) to determine a winner, with Navy emerging victorious 74-62.
- Pitt vs. Syracuse, 2016: The two teams combined for an FBS-record 137 points. Pitt outlasted Syracuse in a 76-61 slugfest.
- Baylor vs. TCU, 2014: 119 total points were scored, with Baylor making a late comeback to win 61-58.
- Arkansas vs. Alabama, 2003: A six-overtime thriller that ended with Arkansas on top 58-56, totaling 114 points.
- Nebraska vs. Oklahoma, 1990: A Big Eight (now Big 12) classic that saw a total of 106 points with Oklahoma coming out on top, 52-54.
- Marshall vs. East Carolina, 2001: The Pirates and Thundering Herd combined for 125 points, with Marshall winning a 64-61 overtime thriller.
- San Jose State vs. Nevada, 2001: The two squads put up 119 points, with Nevada eventually winning, 64-55.
- Wake Forest vs. North Carolina, 2020: These two ACC teams combined for a total of 112 points, with Wake Forest winning 64-48.
- Syracuse vs. Louisville, 2007: A Big East clash that saw a total of 125 points on the scoreboard. Louisville emerged victorious, 64-61.
And so on, with several other unforgettable high-scoring games that have contributed to the rich tapestry of college football history.
In the end, whether it’s a defensive showdown or an offensive barrage, college football consistently delivers enthralling entertainment. But there’s something about these high-scoring games, the thrill of the back-and-forth, the mounting tension as the scoreboard ticks higher, that creates unforgettable memories. So here’s to the teams that light up the scoreboards—we can’t wait to see what records will be shattered next!
CFB FAQs
How are college football bowl games determined?
Only bowl-eligible teams are selected for College Football Bowls. At the NCAA Division I FBS level, the standard by which teams become available for selection in bowl games varies. For example, in 2018-19 season, the team had to have at least as many wins as overall losses. Wins against non-Division I teams do not count toward the number of wins.
How do you play college football pick'em pools?
Simply pick winners from the games each week selected by the Pool Commissioner, either straight up or against the spread. Whichever member has the most points at the end of the season wins
What is a football pool?
"Football Pool" is a broad term for a group of people competitively guessing the outcome of one or more football games. There are many types of formats, each assigning winners differently. They can be played informally between friends or through a more formalized system. They are often considered a great alternative to fantasy football given the ease of playing, although there are fantasy football pools as well.
How to run a football pool?
How you decide to run a football pool varies greatly depending on the game type. In each case, however, you'll want to determine the rules and settings before you begin inviting members to join you. You'll want to clearly establish how score will be kept, how tiebreakers work, and how winners are decided before anything else.
How to play squares football pools?
Football squares are played by creating a grid, in which Team 1 takes the column and Team 2 the rows. In some cases, participants may claim as many squares as they like. In others, commissioners limit them to one. At the quarter times and end of the game, the winner is decided at the point the scores final digit intersect.
How do you setup a college football bowl pool?
To set up a college football bowl pool, you'll need to first choose if you will include all the games or specific ones. Then, you'll need to set the ground rules. As commissioner, you'll implement rules to ensure everything runs smoothly during the bowl games. Many use pool sites like RunYourPool to make the process easier.
What is a college football squares pool?
In a college football squares pool, a commissioner starts with a 10x10 grid of 100 squares (though commissioners decide to use smaller 5x5 pools). Members pick one or more squares in that grid. Winners are determined based on the score of each team after each quarter and at the end of the game.
How many squares in a football pool?
In a traditional football squares pool, a grid is sectioned off into 100 squares with 10 columns and 10 rows. This accounts for a direct relationship between each possible digit from 0 to 9 on both the X and Y axis. For smaller square grids like 5x5, multiple numbers can be assigned to each column and row.
How to read a football squares pool sheet?
In Squares formats, football pool sheets include a grid, where one team is the column and one is the row. Winners are determined at the end of each quarter when the last number in the team’s score (on each side) is matched to the numbers on the grid, and the intersecting square wins.
How do you setup a college football bowl pool?
To set up a college football bowl pool, you'll need to first choose if you will include all the games or specific ones. Then, you'll need to set the ground rules. As commissioner, you'll implement rules to ensure everything runs smoothly during the bowl games. Many use pool sites like RunYourPool to make the process easier.
How do you win college football confidence bowl pool?
The winner of a college bowl confidence pool is the member with the most points after all games have ended. Members rank each game based on how confident they are in their pick (44 points = most confident, 1 point = least confident). For each game picked correctly, members receive the number of points they assigned.
What is a college football bowl confidence pool?
Players try to pick the winner of every bowl game, assigning a point value to each game. Picks are made "straight up," not using a point spread system. Members rank each game based on how confident they are (44 points = most confident, 1 point = least confident). A winner is determined by totalling the point values assigned to correctly picked games.
How do you setup a college football bowl pool?
To set up a college football bowl pool, you'll need to first choose if you will include all the games or specific ones. Then, you'll need to set the ground rules. As commissioner, you'll implement rules to ensure everything runs smoothly during the bowl games. Many use pool sites like RunYourPool to make the process easier.
How do you win college football bowl pick'em pool?
As you might expect, the player who selects the most bowl winners will win their pick'em pool. You can win your college football bowl pick'em pool by choosing winners wisely, based on past performance, player starting status and other "intangibles."
What is a college football bowl pick'em pool?
In a College Bowl Pick'em pool members attempt to pick the winner of every College Bowl game (or a subset of games determined by the Pool Commissioner). Picks are made using the point spread system or "straight up", as assigned by the Pool Commissioner.
