Both teams were ranked among the nation's elite, with Florida at No. 6 and Alabama at No. 3. This marked the third consecutive year these two rivals clashed in the SEC title game, with the series tied at one apiece.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows. However, with just over five minutes remaining, Alabama's Deshea Townsend intercepted a pass from Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Crimson Tide a 22-17 lead. Instead of going for two points, coach Stallings opted to kick the extra point.

With time winding down, Wuerffel led the Gators on a decisive drive, culminating in a two-yard touchdown pass to Chris Doering. The Gators' extra point proved to be the difference, securing a 24-23 victory. This heart-stopping game, later ranked 79th on ESPN's list of the greatest college football games, remains a classic in SEC history.

The heavily favored West Virginia Mountaineers, ranked second in both the BCS and AP Polls, were poised to clinch a berth in the BCS National Championship game. However, the unranked and struggling Pittsburgh Panthers, led by coach Dave Wannstedt, had other plans.

Despite being significant underdogs, the Panthers delivered a stunning upset. A tenacious defensive performance, coupled with timely offensive plays, stifled the high-powered West Virginia offense. The Mountaineers, led by star quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton, were unable to overcome the Panthers' relentless defense and costly turnovers.

The final score of 13-9 was a monumental victory for Pitt and a crushing defeat for West Virginia. This historic upset has been recognized as one of the greatest games in college football history, ranking 65th on ESPN's list of the top 150 games.