The Five Most Exciting College Bowl Games that You Never Saw; NCAA Football

This is not your common bowl game list. None of the included games are among top 10 bowl games of all time, or exciting games like the 2007 Boise State vs. Oklahoma matchup and other BCS contests that we will never forget. These games are true gems that have been overlooked and soon forgotten after being played. Here are the top five most exciting college bowl games that you never saw.

#5. 2000 FedEx Orange Bowl; Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines have been involved in many close bowl games, but not many more exciting than the 2000 FedEx Orange Bowl. Although this is a BCS bowl, it makes the list due to being forgotten after several close matchups between the Wolverines and Texas Longhorns a few years later. This game came down to the wire as Michigan pulled out a 35-34 victory. This was the first ever overtime bowl game and ended on a missed extra point by Alabama. David Terrell was the MVP, while Tom Brady threw for four touchdowns and more than 300 yards.

#4. 1995 Las Vegas Bowl: Toledo Rockets vs. Nevada Wolf Pack

A Las Vegas Bowl featuring Toledo and Nevada does not sound very appealing even to die-hard football fans, but this game was a fantastic one, and it featured a Toledo team that came in undefeated. Gary Pinkel, now the coach at Missouri, led the Rockets to a 10-0-1 record against a Wolf Pack team that was 9-2. Toledo had a 21-7 lead just before the half when Nevada scored to make it 21-24. Nevada took its first lead in overtime with a field goal, putting the score to 37-34 in the Wolf Pack's favor. Toledo was able to take the ball in from a couple of yards out to pull out a bowl win -- and an undefeated season with a 40-37 victory.

#3. 1997 Motor City Bowl: Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Mississippi Rebels

Mississippi squeaked out a 34-31 victory over the Marshall Herd when future NFL star Deuce McAllister scored on a rushing touchdown with less than a minute left. Future NFL players who played in this contest were McAllister, Randy Moss, Chad Pennington and John Avery. Moss had 6 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown. Pennington threw for three touchdowns and 337 yards.

#2. 2000 Ourhouse.com Florida Citrus Bowl: Michigan State Spartans vs. Florida Gators

The #9 Michigan State Spartans faced off against the #10 Florida Gators in what is my pick for second most underrated bowl game of all time. Michigan State was without coach Nick Saban, who left the team to take the head coaching job with LSU. The Spartans were down eight points late and got a touchdown from Bill Burke to Plaxico Burress and MSU converted on the two-point conversion to tie the game. Burress made his mark on college football with a memorable 13 receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Burress was the offensive MVP while future NFL star linebacker Julian Peterson had eight tackles (with five for a loss), three sacks, a deflected pass and two forced fumbles. The Spartans ended the game with a game-winning field goal. Michigan State won 37-34.

#1. 2006 Insight Bowl: Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

This game started off as an unexpected blowout by the Golden Gophers and ended as the biggest comeback in FBS Division 1 Bowl history. Minnesota was ahead of Texas Tech by the score of 38-7 with less than eight minutes left in the third quarter. As America turned off its television sets, Texas Tech turned on their offense and managed to set up a game-tying 52-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to even the score at 38-38. Tech won in overtime after responding to a Minnesota field goal with a touchdown. Quarterback Graham Harrell threw for 445 yards. Final score: 44-41, Texas Tech.

There were many more exciting college bowl games that do not get the respect they deserve. Please leave your favorites in the comment section below.