The 5 Most Famous Ties in College Football History

Overtime is now a staple of college football — a high-stakes chess match that ensures every game ends with a winner and a loser. But it wasn’t always this way.

Before the NCAA introduced overtime rules in 1996, games could end in a tie. No extra possessions. No two-point shootouts. Just a flat, unsatisfying draw. For decades, fans were left stewing in frustration, wondering what might have been. And in some cases, those unresolved endings shaped national championships, sparked rivalries, and created controversy that still lingers today.

Here are the five most famous ties in college football history:

5. Texas vs. Oklahoma – 1984 (15–15)

The Red River Rivalry Gets Muddied in Dallas

Played annually at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the Red River Rivalry rarely lacks drama — and 1984 delivered one of its most chaotic and controversial endings. Both teams entered the game ranked in the top 5, with national title implications on the line. And after four quarters of hard-hitting football, it all came down to one call.

With under a minute to go and Texas trailing 15–12, Longhorn quarterback Todd Dodge threw a desperation pass that appeared to be intercepted by Oklahoma’s Keith Stanberry — a game-sealing play in the end zone. But the back judge ruled the pass incomplete, stunning the Sooners and drawing outrage from Barry Switzer’s sideline. Replays later showed Stanberry had both feet in bounds with control of the ball.

Given new life, Texas kicked a game-tying field goal to make it 15–15 and escape with a draw. The call was instantly one of the most disputed in the history of the rivalry. Oklahoma fans still refer to it as a robbery, and it’s been replayed and debated for decades.

The tie didn’t just derail championship dreams — it became a lasting symbol of how officiating can tilt the course of a season, especially when there’s no overtime to set things straight.

4. Harvard vs. Yale – 1968 (29–29)

“Harvard Beats Yale 29–29”

Arguably the most famous tie headline in sports journalism history. Yale entered the game undefeated and heavily favored, led by quarterback Brian Dowling and running back Calvin Hill. With just 42 seconds left, Yale led 29–13. Game over, right?

Wrong. Harvard scored two touchdowns and converted two two-point conversions in the final moments to tie the game at 29–29 — a comeback so shocking that The Harvard Crimson ran the legendary headline: "Harvard Beats Yale 29–29." The tie cost Yale a perfect season but became an eternal part of Ivy League lore.

3. Notre Dame vs. Army – 1946 (0–0)

A Scoreless Clash Between Titans

Dubbed the “Game of the Century,” this clash at Yankee Stadium featured the top two teams in the country. Army came in with a 25-game winning streak, led by Heisman winners Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis. Notre Dame countered with quarterback Johnny Lujack and a dominant defense.

In a brutal, hard-hitting game, neither team could break through. Lujack’s open-field tackle on Davis became the stuff of legend. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard still read 0–0 — a rare scoreless tie between two of college football’s most storied programs. Both teams would finish the season unbeaten, but Notre Dame claimed the national title in the polls.

2. Michigan vs. Ohio State – 1973 (10–10)

The Tie That Made a Conference Panic

The 1973 edition of The Game featured No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Michigan, both unbeaten, both bitter rivals, and both eyeing the Rose Bowl. The game ended in a tense 10–10 tie, but the real drama started after the clock hit zero.

With no tiebreaker in place, Big Ten athletic directors voted — controversially — to send Ohio State to the Rose Bowl over Michigan, citing quarterback injuries and “overall performance.” Michigan coach Bo Schembechler was livid, calling it "an embarrassment to the Big Ten."

The fallout from the vote led to significant change: the Big Ten eventually scrapped its “only one team to a bowl” rule, opening the door for multiple teams from a conference to play in the postseason. In that way, the 10–10 tie helped reshape college football’s bowl landscape, leading to broader postseason access — and eventually, the mega-slate of bowl games we see today.

1. Notre Dame at Michigan State – 1966 (10–10)

"The Game of the Century" Ends in a Whimper — or a Strategic Masterpiece

Two undefeated teams. Two top-ranked powerhouses. Millions watching across the country. The stakes couldn’t have been higher when Notre Dame visited Michigan State in November 1966. The game lived up to the hype — sort of.

After a back-and-forth battle, the game was tied 10–10 late in the fourth quarter. Rather than risk a turnover, Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian famously ran out the clock, preserving the tie. His decision was blasted by some as cowardly and praised by others as smart game management. Either way, Notre Dame retained its No. 1 ranking and eventually claimed the national championship — but Michigan State never forgot the slight.

It remains the most famous tie in college football history — and the moment that made the sport’s “no overtime” era both infuriating and unforgettable.

A Frustrating Past That Shaped the Present

Ties were once just part of the game — maddening, controversial, and often history-shaping. While today’s overtime rules ensure every game has a winner, these legendary stalemates remind us how much drama can still unfold without a final verdict.

Some of these ties changed championships. Some deepened rivalries. Some, like the 1973 Michigan-Ohio State standoff, even changed the structure of college football itself — helping expand the bowl system and increase national exposure for more programs.

They may have ended without winners, but these games were never forgotten. In fact, their unresolved endings helped shape the evolution of college football — and the demand for finality we now take for granted every Saturday.