Game-Changing Gridiron Moments: How 12 Plays Shaped the 2024 College Football Playoff
College football fans, grab your foam fingers and hypothetical playbooks—it’s time to play “What if?” Every season, thousands of plays electrify the field, but only a select few change everything. From playoff dreams to heartbreaks, these are the moments that defined 2024’s College Football Playoff (CFP). Let’s rewind to the 12 pivotal plays that altered the course of history and sparked a thousand “what could have been” debates.
The Season-Defining Plays
Sept. 14: LSU vs. South Carolina
Two pick-sixes were nullified by penalties, but the fourth-quarter heartbreak took the cake. A clean play would’ve put South Carolina up 40-29 with six minutes to go. Instead, the Gamecocks fell 36-33, the first of three losses.
What Changed: South Carolina could’ve entered December as a two-loss playoff contender. Instead, they watched from the sidelines.
Oct. 5: Kansas at Arizona State
With 16 seconds on the clock, Arizona State’s Sam Levitt launched a Hail Mary to Jordyn Tyson for a miraculous 35-31 win.
What Changed: Without this play, Arizona State’s playoff dreams would’ve evaporated faster than Gatorade in the desert.
Oct. 12: Ole Miss at LSU
Facing fourth-and-6, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier delivered a clutch 16-yard pass. A few plays later, the Tigers tied the game and won in overtime.
What Changed: A win here could’ve kept Ole Miss alive in the playoff hunt. Instead, the Rebels sank into SEC obscurity.
Oct. 19: Alabama at Tennessee
Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava hit Chris Brazzell for a game-winning touchdown, leaving Alabama to tally negative-1 yard on their final three drives.
What Changed: Alabama’s playoff hopes crumbled under the weight of three losses. This one was the final nail.
Oct. 26: SMU at Duke
Overtime brought drama as Duke went for a two-point conversion to seal the win. The pass fell short, giving SMU a 28-27 victory.
What Changed: A loss would’ve knocked SMU out of the CFP conversation. Instead, they clung to their Cinderella story.
Nov. 23: Penn State at Minnesota
A gutsy fake punt for 32 yards preserved Penn State’s one-point lead and the game.
What Changed: Without this win, Penn State’s CFP hopes would’ve fizzled like a spent firecracker.
Nov. 23: Ole Miss at Florida
Jaxson Dart’s late-game interceptions sealed Ole Miss’ fate in a 24-17 loss.
What Changed: A win here could’ve reignited Ole Miss’ playoff aspirations. Instead, it ended their season with a thud.
Nov. 23: BYU at Arizona State
A last-second Hail Mary attempt fell short at the 2-yard line, preserving Arizona State’s 28-23 victory.
What Changed: BYU missed their shot at the Big 12 title. Arizona State stayed on the CFP path.
Nov. 30: Miami at Syracuse
An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed Miami back from the 8-yard line to the 23. They settled for a field goal and never saw the ball again, losing 41-38.
What Changed: Miami’s playoff hopes vanished, leaving fans with a bitter “what if?”
Nov. 30: Georgia Tech at Georgia
A fumble by Georgia Tech’s Haynes King gave Georgia a lifeline. The Bulldogs tied it up and eventually won in eight overtimes.
What Changed: A three-loss Georgia team would’ve faced elimination in the SEC Championship. Instead, they waltzed into the CFP.
Dec. 7: Clemson at SMU, Part 1
SMU’s Kevin Jennings capped a 17-point fourth quarter with a game-tying touchdown.
What Changed: That last-minute magic kept SMU in the CFP mix, even after losing the game.
Dec. 7: Clemson at SMU, Part 2
Clemson’s Nolan Hauser nailed a 56-yard field goal as time expired to secure a 34-31 win.
What Changed: Without this kick, Clemson’s playoff ticket would’ve gone up in smoke.
Looking Ahead
With 11 games remaining, the stage is set for more unforgettable moments. Which plays will join the ranks of these game-changers? One thing is certain: college football’s drama never disappoints.