The Impact of November 30, 2013 on College Football History

You ever have one of those days where you just couldn’t change the channel? That’s what November 30, 2013 was for me and most college football fans. I remember sitting there from noon until well after dark, flipping from game to game because every time you thought, “There’s no way anything crazier happens,” another game delivered.

November 30th saw the Chris Davis Return. Courtesy of Getty Images

It was “Rivalry Saturday” , and it felt like a normal day…until kickoff in Ann Arbor.

No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes and unranked Michigan proving records really don’t matter in a rivalry games. Throwing punches figuratively and literally before Michigan’s two try to win came up just short. Missouri won the SEC East. South Carolina beat Clemson. Thanks to a defense that forced 6 turnovers. This day was already an all timer.

And then the Iron Bowl started.

The Day That Was on November 30th

• “Rivalry Saturday” delivered chaos from the very beginning, proving once again that rankings, records, and expectations often disappear when historic rivals take the field.

• The day's first shockwave came in Ann Arbor, where No. 3 Ohio State entered as a heavy favorite against an unranked Michigan team that refused to be intimidated.

  • Michigan demonstrated why rivalry games are different, matching Ohio State's intensity and turning the matchup into a physical, emotional battle that exceeded all expectations.

  • The rivalry's passion boiled over both figuratively and literally, as tensions escalated throughout the game and highlighted just how much was at stake for both programs.

  • Michigan's bid for a stunning upset nearly ended with a dramatic two-point conversion victory, but the Wolverines came up just short in one of the season's most memorable finishes.

• Elsewhere in the SEC, Missouri completed a historic season by securing the SEC East title, capping a remarkable rise and positioning themselves for a conference championship opportunity.

• South Carolina added another rivalry upset by defeating Clemson, disrupting the Tigers' season and energizing Gamecock fans.

  • The Gamecocks' defense was the story of the game, forcing six turnovers and repeatedly putting Clemson in difficult situations.

• By late afternoon, college football fans had already witnessed multiple upsets, rivalry drama, championship implications, and emotional finishes, making the day feel like an instant classic.

• And yet, the biggest moment was still ahead, because after all the chaos and excitement that had already unfolded, the Iron Bowl was just getting started.

Unbeaten Alabama Crimson Tide football against unbeaten Auburn Tigers football. You already knew you were watching something special. Then came that final second and Alabama lined up for a long field goal. The kick came up short and Chris Davis caught it in the back of the end zone, found the sideline, got one huge block, and suddenly everyone watching was on their feet.

“There goes Davis!”

I still get chills hearing that call. That wasn’t just an incredible ending—it felt like the perfect ending to the perfect college football Saturday. We’ve had great games since then. We’ve had playoffs, national championships, and incredible finishes. But I don’t know if we’ve ever had another day where it felt like the entire sport was firing on every cylinder from noon until midnight.

November 30, 2013 in my humble opinion was greatest day in college football history…