The Peak of New Year’s Day: College Football 1993

1993 produced the biggest regular season game and best single day of college football in my entire life.

Of course, college football being college football, the sport has ensured that neither ever happens again.

What made the 1993 college football season feel so special was the wide variety of teams involved in the national championship race and the amazing stories that captivated the sports world that fall. For the first time, it felt like college football had broken free from the “regional sport” stereotype and became a true, national sport.

With the notable exception of the Pac-10, every major conference had a national contender when November rolled around. The storylines, coaches, and players involved made for a riveting, compelling fall. Prior to 1993, most college football seasons at the very top revolved around a few teams that had a chance to win it all. But in 1993, it felt like anything was possible.

The biggest regular season game, obviously, was Florida State at Notre Dame in mid-November that was the Game of the Century in every sense of the word. Florida State, coached by Bobby Bowden and led by eventual Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward, felt like a team from the future. They had athletes upon athletes all over the field, with a wide-open offense, which ran over teams…