No. 4 – Michael Thomas’ Sugar Bowl toe-tap against Alabama (2014)
To win a national title in 2014, Ohio State had to get past big, bad Alabama in the Sugar Bowl first. While the Buckeyes were moving the ball against the Tide, some key turnovers and missed opportunities allowed ‘Bama to lead for the entire first half.
It was at the end of the first half that the Buckeyes grabbed momentum though. On 2nd and 10 from the thirteen-yard line, and 12 seconds remaining, Urban Meyer and the offensive coaching staff pulled the trigger on a trick play. Cardale Jones handed off to Jalin Marshall on an end-around, who then pitched the ball to Evan Spencer on a double-reverse. Only he didn’t keep running, instead throwing a pass to Michael Thomas on the edge of the endzone.
Thomas somehow caught a perfectly placed ball while twisting in the air and managed to get his foot just inside the sideline for a touchdown that pulled Ohio State to within one point just before the half.
Alabama couldn’t stop the OSU offense from there, and it was off to Big D for a spot in the national championship game.