ESPN adds Florida among 100 games that explain college football

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The 158th season of college football is just weeks away, but the sport looks completely different from the one many fans grew up watching. Players are now eligible to be paid and make more than some professionals — coaches earn eight-figure salaries, and the College Football Playoff has expanded to 12 teams.

Conference realignment has reshaped the sport, creating unusual matchups such as West Virginia-Utah and UCF-Oklahoma State while eliminating a longtime rivalry like Oklahoma-Oklahoma State or USC-Notre Dame.

Despite the changes and growth of the game, college football still has the same appeal. Saturdays are still filled with thrilling games, unexpected upsets, and unforgettable moments.

As the 2026 season approaches, ESPN took a step back to examine how the sport reached its current state with a list compiled of 100 games that help explain college football in 2026. How is Florida represented on the list?

The infamous 1996 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl — the national title game where Nebraska defeated Florida 62-24 to become back-to-back national champions — makes the cut. It was an embarrassment for Florida as they allowed a bowl game record of 524 total rushing yards, and allowed Nebraska to go on a 29-0 run in the second quarter.

The 1992 SEC Championship game, which featured the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide, also made the list. In the season that saw the SEC take a risk and expand to 12 teams and two division winners, the 1992 SEC Championship game birthed the format that stood for over 30 years, as Florida fell to Alabama 28-21.

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: ESPN adds Florida among 100 games that explain college football

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