Top CFB Moments of 2006 #3: Tip, Pick, Chaos

The Scene: USC has nine points late in the fourth quarter of its annual crosstown grudge match against UCLA. Nine! This is a problem because UCLA's managed to put up 13 and if the Trojans don't score a touchdown on this very drive, their shot at Ohio State in the national championship game is going to go up in smoke.

No matter. This is what championship teams do [/jockspeak]. The USC offensive line, run around all day by Bruin defensive ends, solidifies. Booty looks smooth for the first time since USC's first drive of the second half; USC finds itself well into Bruin territory, facing a third and four at the UCLA 18.

The Event: Booty drops back and sees Steve Smith on a circle route that looks just open enough. He throws. Scrub linebacker Eric McNeil, is blitzing, but sees the three-step drop and aborts his pass rush. As the ball gets to him he leaps and deflects the ball. Fourth and fo-- he caught it! He wheeled around, located the ball, and caught it! Game over!

The Video:

The Aftermath: UCLA takes a series of knees to end the game, celebrates like mad, and proceeds to cough up an ugly loss to Florida State. Meanwhile, the rest of the nation is immediately sent into chaos: Florida? Michigan? Boise... no, not Boise. A shameful campaign from CBS' Gary Danielson sees the next day's controversial vote go to Florida, which is really horribly unjust until Michigan and Ohio State are both blown out in their bowl games.

Eric McNeil's incredible interception, for throwing the BCS into chaos, for definitely changing the national champion, and for generally being an awesome play to give the underdog a win in a major rivalry game, you are the #3 moment of the 2006 college football season.