1. Graham Harrell's 28-yard TD pass to Michael Crabtree as time expired to beat Texas. This play cost the Longhorns the Big 12 South Division title and probably a spot in the NC game.


2. Brandon Spikes' face plant of Knowshon Moreno on the second play of the game at the Florida vs. Georgia Cocktail Party. This play set the tone for the game and sparked the Gators to a five game rampage that led to the NC game.

In the 2007 Cocktail Party, Georgia humiliated the Gators behind 188 rushing yards by Moreno. During summer weight training, Urban Meyer made the Gator defensive players do 188 reps at each weight station, one for each yard they gave up to Moreno. This video below is a testament to the success of Meyer's motivational ploy.


3. Dan Murray of Iowa's 31-yard field goal with one second left to beat Penn State 24-23. This spared us from watching Florida or Oklahoma blow out Penn State in the NC game.


4. Oregon State's Greg Laybourn intercepts Mark Sanchez and returns it to the USC two-yard line, icing the game for the Beavers with 2:58 remaining.

That play kept the Trojans out of the National Championship game. Not a knock on Sanchez. He had to try to force the ball into the spot given the situation.

Jacquizz Rodgers understandably got all the publicity, but the Beaver's defense was the real star. Watching the game, I was sure USC would come back to win, but the OSU D shut the door.


5. On October 11, Georgia starting offensive tackle Vince Vance suffers a season-ending knee injury. This fully decimates the Dawg offensive line, which was already crippled by the loss of its other starting tackle, Trinton Sturdivant. Sturdivant is a sophomore who was named a first-team freshman All-SEC and All-American in 2007.

Lou Vozza is an Analyst for the Bleacher Report. Visit http://bleacherreport.com/articles/95702-the-five-most-important-college-football-plays-of-2008 to read the orignal article.