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Top 5 greatest Rose Bowl games in college football history

By Quinn Douglas

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Michigan Wolverines fan, Steve Terry, stands at the entrance to the Rose Bowl prior to the game against the USC Trojans on January 1, 2007 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Michigan Wolverines fan, Steve Terry, stands at the entrance to the Rose Bowl prior to the game against the USC Trojans on January 1, 2007 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /

5. 1998 Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan 21, No. 8 Washington State 16

It was a game littered with memorable college football talent. Michigan came into the game with a perfect 11-0 record and a shot at the school’s first national championship since 1948. The Wolverines were led by Heisman Trophy-winning cornerback Charles Woodson, who had become a two-way star in Ann Arbor. Washington State was making its first Rose Bowl appearance since 1931, a 67-year absence. The Cougars were led by future No. 2 pick Ryan Leaf at quarterback, who had finished as a finalist for the Heisman along with Woodson.

It was a tight affair the entire way through, Charles Woodson came up with a momentum shifting interception on Washington State’s second offensive drive after the Cougars had marched down and scored on their first drive. Woodson continued to make his presence felt, as he made plays on the offensive side of the ball, including a busted gadget play where he picked up a first down, leading to the game-sealing field goal.

The game did end with controversy however as the Cougars had appeared to spike the ball prior to time expiring in the ballgame, however the clock struck 0:00 and there was no way to review the time as instant replay review was not present in 1998. In the end Michigan claimed a share of the national title along with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the last national championship won by a Michigan team.

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