Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a season like 2013 comes along.
Here’s our list of the Top 12 Plays of the Season.
MORE: College football icons | SN All-Americans | Bowl matchups
12. UCLA at Arizona, Nov. 9
The play: Clinging to a 24-19 lead, UCLA had third-and-2 from its 34. Dual-threat QB Brett Hundley handed to Myles Jack — a freshman linebacker who Jim Mora was integrating into the offense. Jack, who already had gained 54 yards on five carries, got the first down and shook off a couple tacklers down the sideline for a 66-yard score. The linebacker finished with 120 yards on six carries and added eight tackles, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups.
11. Louisville at Cincinnati, Dec. 5
The play: On third-and-8 from the Bearcats’ 22, Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater bought time with his feet and then sent a sidearm toss into the end zone for Damian Copeland, who kept his feet inbounds to give the Cardinals a 17-14 edge.
10. Stanford at USC, Nov. 16
The play: Trailing 17-10 in the third quarter, Stanford needed to make something happen against the Trojans. On second-and-1 from the USC 35, Stanford RB Tyler Gaffney took the handoff and appeared stopped at the line scrimmage. But he somehow escaped several tacklers, broke free and dived into the end zone for the score.
9. Alabama at Auburn, Nov. 30
The play: Well, for more than 10 minutes, this was the play of the season. Backed up on its own 1-yard line, Alabama needed to create some breathing room with the score tied, 21-21. On first down, AJ McCarron rared back and threw down the sideline to Amari Cooper. Auburn CB Jonathon Mincy was beat on the play and safety Jermaine Whitehead was late to help and Cooper strolled down the sideline for a 99-yard TD reception.
8. Rutgers at SMU, Oct. 5
The play: Garrett Gilbert hit Jeremy Johnson for a 13-yard score with 1:19 left in the game to cut Rutgers’ lead to 35-33. On the 2-point conversion, Gilbert scrambled. As he neared the sideline he threw back across the field to a wide open Johnson, who barely stayed in bounds for the conversion. But Rutgers eventually won in overtime.
7. Alabama at Texas A&M, Sept. 14
The play: It was only a 12-yard completion, but done with only the flair that Johnny Manziel can do it. On third-and-8 from the Alabama 33, Manziel avoided several Alabama defenders and at his own 40 — 27 yards behind the line of scrimmage — he lofted a pass that Edward Pope grabbed among a host of players for a 12-yard gain and first down.
6. Michigan at Northwestern, Nov. 16
The play: Trailing 9-6, Michigan set out on a final possession with the intent of tying or winning the game. With the game clock winding down and with no timeouts, QB Devin Gardner found Jeremy Gallon for a 16-yard gain down to the Northwestern 27. In a frantic rush, the Wolverines’ field goal unit raced onto the field. Holder Drew Dileo slid into place, took the snap and Brendan Gibbons nailed a 44-yarder as time expired. Michigan then won the game in triple overtime — but it was the well-executed field goal that saved the day for UM.
5. Northwestern at Nebraska, Nov. 2
The play: Northwestern took a 24-21 lead with 1:20 left on a Jeff Budzien field goal. The Cornhuskers converted a fourth-and-15 on the ensuing drive and after three more plays, faced second-and-10 from the Northwestern 49 with 4 seconds remaining in the game. Ron Kellogg lofted a pass toward the end zone. The ball was tipped short of the goal line and flew over the heads of several players and into the arms of Nebraska receiver Jordan Westerkamp in the end zone for the dramatic victory.
4. Kent State at Ohio, Nov. 19
The play: Leading 24-13 in the third quarter, Kent State had fourth-and-3 from its 39 and lined up to punt. But the snap went to 6-foot-4, 265-pound junior defensive lineman Nate Terhune. Terhune ran to the left and leaped a Ohio player on his way to a 61-yard TD run.
3. UCF at Temple, Nov. 16
The play: With its hopes of controlling the AAC and earning a BCS berth at stake, UCF trailed by a touchdown late in the game. With 1:06 left, UCF QB Blake Bortles hurled a pass toward the end zone as he was knocked to the ground. J.J. Worton dove and made a one-handed grab — the catch of the year — to tie the game. The Knights added a field goal to win it with 19 seconds left.
2. Georgia at Auburn, Nov. 16
The play: After squandering a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, Auburn was staring at its second loss and elimination from any shot at playing for the SEC title. Georgia led 38-37 and the Tigers faced fourth-and-18 from its 27 with 36 seconds left in the game. QB Nick Marshall dropped back and heaved a pass downfield to Ricardo Louis into double coverage. But instead of knocking the ball down, Josh Harvey-Clemons deflected the ball and Louis made an over-the-shoulder catch in stride for a 73-yard TD. Jordan-Hare Stadium erupted and The Prayer at Jordan-Hare was etched in Auburn history and immediately anointed the play of the year. Until …
1. Alabama at Auburn, Nov. 30
The play: By now, if you don’t know the setup to this play, you’re probably not reading this. The Iron Bowl. Tie game. One second remaining. Alabama’s Adam Griffith attempts a 57-yard field goal that is just short and to the right. Auburn senior defensive back Chris Davis catches the ball at the back of the end zone, starts right, cuts left, tightropes the sideline and coasts the final 50 yards en route to not just the greatest finish in Iron Bowl history, but possibly the greatest finish in college football history. Tigers win, 34-28.