Top 10 Greatest Rose Bowl Games

1. 2006: Texas 41, USC 38

2. 1963: USC 42, Wisconsin 37

   You talk about marathons, and this was it. Long before the epic overtime games we see today, the 1963 Rose Bowl featured an incredible shootout. USC first drew blood as quarterback Pete Beathard threw a touchdown pass to Ron Butcher, building a 42-14 lead. At that point, much of the capacity crowd was heading for the exits.

   Then, Wisconsin came alive in the 4th quarter when Ron Vander Kelen led them to 23 unanswered points, breaking several Rose Bowl records. However, their final drive fell just short in a wild and unforgettable finish.

   Its Joeysworld

3. 1929: Georgia Tech 8, California 7

4. 1980: USC 17, Ohio State 16

   This time, there was no dispute or controversy like last year. USC's Charles White scored a clean touchdown, which was arguably the play of the 1979 college football postseason. White left USC as a college football legend. Oh my.

5. 1926: Alabama 20, Washington 19

   Dubbed "The Game That Changed the South," this matchup would forever alter the Rose Bowl. Alabama, led by Johnny Mack Brown (who would later become a Hollywood actor), announced its arrival to the college football world.

   It was also the first Rose Bowl broadcast nationwide on radio. Listeners across the country heard the Crimson Tide make a powerful statement with their victory, which changed the landscape of college football forever.

   Its Joeysworld

6. 1997: Ohio State 20, Arizona State 17

   Ohio State was expected to be there, but Arizona State was not. Yet, Jake Plummer led the team to a surprising 11-0 record and a shot at the national championship.

   Throughout the game, Ohio State was in a battle. In the final two minutes, despite rainy conditions, Plummer led Arizona State to a potential victory with an 11-yard touchdown run. But Ohio State rallied back as Joe Germaine threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to David Boston, sealing the win for Ohio State.

   Its Joeysworld

7. 2005: Texas 38, Michigan 37

8. 1955: Michigan State 17, UCLA 14

9. 1941: Stanford 21, Nebraska 13

   While World War II raged on, America continued with sports, even as the 1940 Winter and Summer Olympics were canceled. These games took place on the gridiron, where Nebraska made its first-ever bowl appearance.

   Nebraska delivered a memorable goal-line stand against Stanford, stopping them after four attempts at the end zone. However, later in the game, Stanford got a second chance. Pete Kmetovic returned a punt 39 yards for the clinching touchdown, securing the win for Stanford.

   Its Joeysworld

10. 2014: Michigan State 24, Stanford 20

The Newcomers
11. ?

    1923: USC 14, Penn State 3

12. ?

    2012: Oregon 45, Wisconsin 38

The Contenders

13. 1979: USC 17, Michigan 10

    Fifty years after the most infamous error in Rose Bowl history (Roy Riegels' wrong-way run), the Rose Bowl delivered what is still one of its most controversial plays. To this day, Michigan fans believe it was a fumble.

    Charles White's "Phantom Touchdown" registered shockwaves for fans at the game and those watching worldwide. Interestingly, a mild earthquake occurred shortly after that "touchdown," though no damage was reported.

    Its Joeysworld

14. 2017: USC 52, Penn State 49

15. 1976: UCLA 23, Ohio State 10

16. 1985: USC 20, Ohio State 17

17. 2022: Ohio State 48, Utah 45

18. 1971: Stanford 27, Ohio State 17

19. 1972: Stanford 13, Michigan 12

20. 1969: Ohio State 27, USC 16

21. 1986: UCLA 45, Iowa 28

22. 1966: UCLA 14, Michigan State 12

23. 2019: Ohio State 28, Washington 23

24. 1975: USC 18, Ohio State 17

25. 1970: USC 10, Michigan 3

26. 2018: Georgia 54, Oklahoma 48

27. 2024: Michigan 27, Alabama 20

    What a thrilling game, especially in overtime.