1- 1990 BYU 28 Miami 21, Ty-Heisman
Is there even any question which game belongs at the top of the list? BYU in the 80s fielded some great teams but the 80s was owned by the Hurricanes who sat on top of the hill at #1 coming into Provo. BYU was ranked 16 led by Ty Detmer who was brilliant in front of the home crowd throwing for 406 yards and 3 TDs holding the lead and winning the big one in front of a national audience.
2- 1980 BYU 46 SMU 45, the Miracle Bowl
Heading into this matchup BYU had never won a post season bowl game. The matchup wasn't going to be an easy one either led by the dynamic backfield duo of Eric Dickerson and Craig James. Midway through the 3rd quarter the Mustangs led 45-25 then came the miracle. Score after score from BYU led by Jim Mcmahon who wouldn't let BYU quit pulling off an absolute miracle from behind to win placing BYU on the map.
3- 1984 BYU 24 Mich 17, National Championship
Yes, this may be a win over an unranked team. However, this game included Robbie Bosco who comes back from what looked to be an game ending ugly looking knee injury leading BYU to a 24-17 victory and undefeated season securing the National Championship.
4- 1996 BYU 19 KS State 15, Cotton Bowl
Many diehard Cougar fans may say that this 1996 squad was the best that they have ever assembled together. Coming into this matchup BYU was ranked #5 squaring off in the Cotton Bowl and possibly the highest ever profile bowl game they may have played in. Late in the game BYU was leading 19-15 but the Wildcats were driving and in scoring territory on the 13 yard line. In the ultimate clutch time Omarr Morgan picked off Kansas State QB Matt Cavanaugh to seal the victory.
5- 2006 BYU 33 Utah 31, Beck to Harline (Harline is still open)
This game had neither historical significance nor did it contain any ranked teams. On the other hand, it did feature one of the more memorable plays in the Holy War history. This single play seemed to last a lifetime. John Beck is able to find Jonny Harline wide open in the end zone snapping team North's 4 game Holy War win streak in Salt Lake City and capping off a 10-2 regular season.
6- 2009 BYU 14 Oklahoma 14, Cowboys Stadium (Jerrys World)
No one in this game opener gave much thought to BYU as the Sooners were overwhelming favorites which included Heisman winner QB Sam Bradford behind center. Oklahoma clung to a 10-7 lead at half but had lost Bradford for the game to injury. Max Hall was able to find McKay Jacobson for the TD with just over three minutes remaining giving the Cougars the lead and the victory.
7- 2006 BYU 31 TCU 17, Upset on the road
Coming into this game BYU faced a huge road test versus TCU who was riding a 13 game win streak and also heavily favored. John Beck was remarkable throwing for 321 yard and 3 TDs for the 31-17 win. The win avenged the previous year controversial 51-50 double overtime loss and was Bronco Mendenhall's first win over a ranked opponent.
8- 1994 BYU 21 Notre Dame 14, No luck for the Irish
BYU was hungry coming into this game. John Walsh led the nation in passing yards and TDs. Jamal Willis had his 2nd 1000 yard rushing season. The defense had some great playmakers in Shay Muirbrook and the Raass brothers. Neither team played great on offense. The key difference was on defense BYUs 4 sacks to 1 and those sacks came at key moments.
9- 2014 BYU 41 Texas 7, Taysom's Leap
Many Cougar fans will remember this game as Taysom's leap. Taysom Hill ran for three touchdowns in the third quarter which included a memorable leap hurdling a defender near the goal line for a 30 yard score. Hill and the Cougars were just too much for the Longhorns winning 41-7.
10- 2018 BYU 24 Wisc 21, Madison Mayhem
The badgers coming into this game were ranked 6th with a 12-0 regular season record from the previous year. BYU flat outplayed Wisconsin in all phases stunning a crowd of 80,000 fans and a national television audience pulling a 24-21 upset victory for the ages.
