Tennessee vs Maryland is one I will always consider up there. Don't remember the stakes but hoo boy, that was a cluster. High stakes=2001 vs LSU
1. Memphis 1996 - Memphis was the worst offensive team in college football in 1996. Losing to them knocked us from an alliance bowl at-large bid. 2. 2001 LSU - no comment 3. 1997 Florida - Go back and watch this crapfest. Cutcliffe and Manning seemed to be more interested in setting passing records than anything else during the first month of 1997. It nearly allowed UCLA to make up a huge second half deficit the week before and it absolutely buried them against Florida. 4. 1999 Arkansas - Football within the conference had steadily throughout the late 90s; while Tennessee was the most talented team in the SEC, gone were the days of just being able to toss the ball to the official and moonwalk over the other 7 games in-conference.
That's a great addition. It's often overlooked but that game was more canary in the coal mine moment than probably LSU 2001.
Holy shit. I am sure Card has put this forever out of his mind, since it wasn't listed. That was truly the sign of things to come. What a colossal [uck fay] up that was.
It’s 96 Memphis as most inexcusable. 2001 LSU as most consequential. and goddam 2002 Florida, where we couldn't so much as cleanly snap the [uck fay]ing football, as the moment I knew the “decade of dominance” was officially over.
I think we also forget how much of an epic disaster the 96 Florida game was too after the build up to it.