Since the new millennium began, we’ve seen countless amazing games, upsets, and comebacks. But how many of those happened in postseason bowl games, and which stand out among the others?

For this list, we are ranking only non-playoff and non-championship bowl games. For our list of the top title games since 2000, check it out here

5. USC vs Penn State, 2017 Rose Bowl (USC 52, Penn St 49)

The game was an epic shootout, ending on a walk-off field goal by USC to win 52-49. The game featured the second and third overall picks in the 2018 NFL Draft in Sam Darnold and Saquon Barkley. Both had tremendous seasons and topped them off with dominant performances. Darnold threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns, while Barkley ran for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Despite putting up 49 points, Penn State was shut out in both the first and fourth quarters. USC was down 49-35 at the start of the final quarter, but scored 17 unanswered points to win the game. On top of it being one of the most entertaining, back-and-forth games, it also showcased future NFL players Mike Gesicki, Chris Godwin Jr., and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

4. Oklahoma vs Boise State, 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (Boise St 43, Oklahoma 42)

We should’ve known the 2007-08 college football season would be so chaotic with how the year started. Virtually nobody gave Boise State a chance to win despite being 12-0, and they entered this game as a 7.5 underdog. The Broncos jumped out to a 28-10 lead midway through the 3rd quarter, but Oklahoma stormed back and took a 35-28 lead with 40 seconds left. Boise State forced overtime on one of the most iconic plays in bowl history. On 4th and 18, WR Drisan James caught the ball and then lateraled it to fellow WR Jerard Rabb, who went the distance. In overtime, Adrian Peterson put the Sooners on top in one play, but Boise State wasn’t done with their trickery. After a seven-play drive, they decided to go for two and the win instead of kicking the extra point. QB Jared Zabransky faked a pass to the right and did a behind-the-back handoff to RB Ian Johnson, who scored and won the game, cementing it as an instant classic and one of the biggest upsets in bowl game history.

3. Oregon vs TCU, 2016 Alamo Bowl (TCU 47, Oregon 41)

Oregon jumped out to a 31-0 halftime lead, and it seemed like this game was over. But TCU wasn’t done fighting, and an injury to Oregon QB Vernon Adams Jr forced Jeff Lockie into the game, which led to Oregon’s offense stalling. Lockie managed just 36 passing yards after taking over right before halftime. The Horned Frogs would go on to score on all of their possessions in the second half and in overtime. The 31-point comeback is tied with Texas Tech’s in the 2006 Insight Bowl for the largest in bowl game history.

2. Ohio State vs Utah, 2022 Rose Bowl (Ohio State 48, Utah 45)

The Rose Bowl has seen some instant classics over the years, and this one certainly ranks up there as one of the most exciting. Ohio State broke or tied eight Rose Bowl records in the win over Utah. WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba broke the record for the most receiving yards in an FBS bowl game with 347. He also tied the Rose Bowl record with 15 catches and three touchdowns, including one to put OSU on top with less than five minutes left in the game. QB CJ Stroud broke the record for most passing yards with 573 and passing touchdowns with six. The game also featured five future first-round draftees between the two teams.

1. Marshall vs East Carolina, 2001 GMAC Bowl (Marshall 64, East Carolina 61)

It was difficult to put this one at #1 because there have been so many great bowl games over the last 25 years, but it had everything. A 30-point comeback, overtime, and both teams scoring over 60 points. ECU held a 38-8 lead at halftime, but Marshall had two pick-sixes to cut the lead to 41-29, and scored again to make it 41-36 by the end of the third quarter. Both teams traded blows in the fourth quarter, and Marshall scored a touchdown to tie the game at 51 with 16 seconds left, but missed the PAT, and went to overtime. They each scored in the first OT, but ECU settled for a field goal to start the second overtime period, allowing Marshall to win on an eight-yard passing touchdown. Marshall QB Byron Leftwich threw for 576 yards, with 234 of those going to Denero Marriott. It remains the highest-scoring bowl game of all time.

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