Top 10 College Football Games That Had Divine Intervention

Nov 9, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; A Brigham Young Cougars football helmet during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

3. 1980: BYU Cougars Beat SMU Mustangs 46-45

This game did not have the upset factor. But it did have an extremely improbable comeback capped off by an amazing play, and the combination of the two puts it here.

It was the 1980 Holiday Bowl, and BYU was down 45-25 to SMU with 2:33 left in the game. Who the heck scores three touchdowns in that timespan?

Well, a 1-yard run by Scott Phillips made it 45-32, and then BYU recovered an onside kick. They went down the field and scored again, making it 45-39.

After stopping SMU, all hope seemed lost with less than 20 seconds left and the Mustangs about to pin the Cougars deep. But then a blocked punt came, and BYU was given the ball at the 41-yard line. After two incomplete passes, they had a chance to run one final play.

And a Hail Mary came to cap it off.

Jim McMahon just chucked it downfield and it was caught for a touchdown. BYU won 46-45 in a game that featured a 20-point comeback capped off by a Hail Mary. Also included in the comeback were a recovered onside kick and a blocked punt.

Divine intervention? Somebody was looking out for the Mormon crowd that day.

Next: No. 2 Ranked College Football Game That Had Divine Intervention