10 Best College Football Hits on YouTube

College football has to be one of the best sports to watch. Granted, sometimes it can be a bit boring, especially if you are tuned in to Nebraska or Navy...after all they only run three plays: run right, run left, and run up the middle. The only real anticipation in the game is trying to guess who the QB is going to hand off to next! However, for most games, you know there is the chance for a big hit on the next play. Nothing beats a big, knock out hit on a wide receiver hung out to dry by the quarterback while crossing the middle. Peruse YouTube, and you will find any number of great hits, no matter who your favorite team is. So, without further ado, here are my top 10 college football hits as shown on YouTube.

10. Ohio State versus Michigan. Ok, we are going to start with a rather mild highlight. What makes this hit so great is the rivalry between the teams. Big hits are not uncommon in rivalry games, since all the players are stoked up to play. For many teams, winning the rivalry game is all that really matters. In this clip, Michigan's defensive back takes a shot at Troy Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, as he is heading out of bounds. This is not the hardest hit in the list, but the shot to the head certainly makes it worthy of starting us off!

9. Ole Miss versus LSU. This clip shows the perfect tackle. Every coach in America would love to have this clip to teach the line backers how to make a tackle. After penetrating the offensive line, this linebacker drills the running back, and drives him into the ground. It is often difficult to get such a great hit on a running back before he clears the offensive line, since there is too much traffic, but this play is the exception! This video is a bit grainy, but still well worth the time to watch.

8. Pitt versus West Virginia. This clip pains me, since I live in West Virginia, and am somewhat of a WVU fan. But, then again, it was one of the greatest hits of the year. I know most Pitt fans rave about the punt return that was going on at the time, but the center of the play is the block that takes out two of the WVU pursuers. You know that block will be on number 81's highlight reel for the rest of his life. And I can take solace in the fact that WVU won the game.

7. Boston College versus Maryland. This is what happens when you don't get the proper blocking when running the option, and your QB pitches the ball too high. This BC corner gets a free shot at an unprotected, vulnerable running back. The Maryland running back ended up with his hands up, reaching for the ball, exposing his torso to the full fury of the BC corner back. You have to watch closely to get the first showing of this hit, but don't worry, there are a couple of more angles spliced into the clip.

6. Ohio State Versus Minnesota. Ohio State makes the list again. This time, we get to see a screen play that is blown up big time. The screen can be a fantastic play, when it is blocked right, and the receiver has a good wall to run behind. However, when the slot receiver is left out by himself, the advantage goes to the corner. Ray Small, the receiver, is clobbered by the corner in this video. The creator of this video did a good job of fitting the clip to the music, but the music itself is a bit annoying.

5. West Virginia versus University of Connecticut. West Virginia makes an appearance in our list at number 5. The best thing about this hit is that it is laid out by a quarterback. Stan White, West Virginia's QB, isn't like the usual QB. He is willing to stick his neck out, and take a shot to free the running back. Notice, he took out two U Conn defenders with one hit. This has to be a lowlight for these two defenders...how do you explain that you were taken out by a quarterback?

4. Texas versus Texas A&M. This clip introduces us to the "spear." I love to see a corner back have the time to set up an offensive player for a hit like this one. You can almost see his eyes light up when he knows he is going to get to lay a lick on the receiver. Notice how he shoots "through" the receiver. This was a great hit, followed up by a ridiculous celebration penalty. It's amazing how some players are allowed to celebrate obnoxiously, and others aren't even allowed to pump a fist!

3. Arkansas versus USC. Kickoffs may be the most violent of times for big hits. Both teams are rushing down the field directly at one another, and crash into one another at full speed. This point is made clearly by Arkansas as they stop this return during the USC game. The Arkansas defender unloads on the return man, driving him into the ground. This looks like a true pile driver, straight from the wrestling ring!

2. Auburn versus Wyoming. This clip contains one of the best signs of the "big hit": a helmet flying fifteen yards downfield. Auburn's safety lays a lick on a wide receiver that was hung out to dry by his quarterback. Wide receivers must hate it when quarterbacks miss that slant, making them turn around backwards, exposing them to the hard hitting safety that is just licking his chops for a big hit!

1. Auburn versus Georgia. Finally, we get to number one. This clip has it all. The rivalry component is present, since Auburn versus Georgia is the oldest rivalry in the south. The hit is there. Among Auburn fans, this has simply become known as "The Hit." Junior Rosegreen of Auburn hit Reggie Brown of Georgia so hard that he was knocked unconscious before he hit the ground. I never want to see a player get hurt on the field, but you have to admit, this was one bodacious hit. This kind of hit has become known as a slobberknocker, for obvious reasons. Since I am an Auburn alumnus, I may be a bit prejudiced, but I think this is the best college football hit on YouTube!

If you are looking for some big college football hits, check out these links. These hits will get you through the long months when college football is in the off season.