The last real "Game of the Century" was played 20 years ago in South Bend, Ind. Well before the instant-gratification sports environment we live in now meant each season features a so-called "Game of the Century" or two, then-No. 1 Florida State and No. 2 Notre Dame serendipitously met in a matchup for the ages. It was 20 years ago, Nov. 13, 1993, and the game was deemed so important that ESPN took its pregame studio show "College GameDay" on the road for the first time ever for a regular-season game. In the spirit of this anniversary, here are the epic "Games of the Century" of college football. (Note: Only regular-season matchups of top-ranked teams were included.)

-- Jim Reineking (follow on Twitter @jimreineking).

The first "Game of the Century" was also the first-ever matchup between two Midwest college football powerhouses. Ohio State stormed to a 13-0 lead on Notre Dame, but the Fighting Irish mounted an epic second-half comeback for an 18-13 win. Future Pro Football Hall of Famer Wayne Millner caught the winning touchdown pass for Notre Dame. Take a look at this old-timey video for highlights of the thrilling game. (AP Photo)

During World War II, Army and Navy were at the apex of their football power. The 1944 game featured a 23-7 win by eventual national champion Army. Following the game, Army coach Red Blaik received a telegram from General Douglas MacArthur straight from the Pacific Ocean theatre of the Second World War: "The greatest of all Army teams--STOP--We have stopped the war to celebrate your magnificent success." The 1945 Army-Navy rematch was dubbed as a "Game of the Century." Like the season before, Army emerged victorious and claimed the national championship. (AP Photo)

Army entered this game riding a 25-game winning streak that spanned four seasons. The game feature three Heisman Trophy winners: The Black Knights had the 1945 Heisman winner in Doc Blanchard and the 1946 Heisman winner in Glenn Davis. Notre Dame featured the 1947 Heisman winner, Johnny Lujack. It could be argued that this was the last stand for the service academies as major college football powerhouses. After this showdown with Notre Dame, the pollsters picked the Fighting Irish as national champions, although the Black Knights media guide lists the 1946 team as national champions. This wouldn't be the first time that Notre Dame would be involved in a controversial tie in a "Game of the Century." (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)

Defending national champion Michigan State hosted Notre Dame in the first game in 20 years to earn the "Game of the Century" moniker. Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian famously played for the tie, rather than go for the win, to preserve the Irish's No. 1 ranking. It worked -- Notre Dame was eventually crowned national champion. Surprisingly, neither team went to a bowl game that season. Notre Dame didn't accept bowl bids until 1969, and Michigan State could not play in the Rose Bowl, since the same team could not represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl in back-to-back seasons. (AP Photo/Michigan State University)

No. 1 UCLA and No. 2 USC met in the watershed game in this storied rivalry. Bruins QB Gary Beban and Trojans RB O.J. Simpson each entered the game as Heisman candidates. While Simpson scored two touchdowns in USC's win, Beban was heroic in defeat, throwing for 301 yards, and he won that season's Heisman. Simpson would win the Heisman the following season. USC claimed the national championship following a win over the Big Ten champion, Indiana, in the Rose Bowl. (AP Photo)

President Richard Nixon famously attended this "Game of the Century" -- a battle of undefeated teams, with Texas ranked No. 1 and Arkansas ranked No. 2. Arkansas led 14-0 entering the fourth quarter, but Texas' vaunted wishbone offense finally got on track and registered 15 straight points to prevail. Nixon awarded Texas coach Darrell Royal with a plaque that proclaimed the Longhorns as national champions. It was a bit premature for such a declaration, but Texas went on to defeat Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl to make the title official. (Associated Press)

The defending national champion Cornhuskers played the No. 2-ranked Sooners on Thanksgiving Day of 1971. A thrilling game turned Nebraska-Oklahoma showdowns into must-watch college football events. Coach Bob Devaney's 'Huskers claimed a second consecutive national championship following the win. (Associated Press)

Florida State and Miami were ranked 1-2 in the nation, and this showdown was lost by the Seminoles in an excruciating manner that would need only two words to elicit a response by any FSU fan: "Wide right." The Hurricanes won by a point after Florida State's kicker, Gerry Thomas, missed a field goal attempt wide right with 29 seconds remaining, a dramatic finish that would be replicated in 1992. (AP Photo/Don Dughi)

This much-ballyhooed No. 1-vs.-No. 2 matchup lived up to the hype. Notre Dame prevailed 31-24 when it batted down the final pass attempt from Seminoles quarterback Charlie Ward -- that year's Heisman Trophy winner -- as time expired to send the Notre Dame Stadium crowd into a frenzy. Notre Dame lost the next week to Boston College, setting up a situation in which FSU would get to play for the national title in the Orange Bowl against Nebraska, which Florida State won. In essence, this "Game of the Century" sent the two powerhouse programs in opposite directions. FSU won its first national championship that season, and played for the national title in five of eight seasons (winning twice). Notre Dame won the Cotton Bowl that season, but then went 15 seasons before another bowl win. (AP Photo/Mark Elias)

It was generally understood that the winner of this game would go on to play for the national championship. Thus, setting up what appeared to be a winner-take-all showdown of bitter in-state rivals. Florida State prevailed, thanks to a defense that intensely pressured 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel and Warrick Dunn's 185 yards rushing. While it was expected that FSU would play for the national title and Florida would be relegated to a consolation bowl game, Florida State and Florida became the first rematch in a national title game -- in this case the Sugar Bowl. In the rematch, the Gators hammered the Seminoles, 52-20, giving the ol' ball coach Steve Spurrier his first national championship. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk)

No. 1 Ohio State hosted No. 2 Michigan in an epic showdown with a BCS national championship berth on the line. This was the second time Ohio State was involved in a No. 1-vs.-No. 2 showdown in 2006, having beaten defending national champion Texas 24-7 in Austin in a much-hyped early-season tilt. Against Michigan, the Buckeyes won behind four touchdown passes from Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Ohio State nearly got a rematch with its longtime rival in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, but voters tabbed Florida as a more deserving one-loss team to play for the national title. The Gators steamrolled the Buckeyes, 41-14, igniting a seven-year run in which the SEC would win every BCS championship game. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

An overtime field goal by LSU's Drew Alleman decided this matchup that received a heaping helping of pregame hype but fell short of living up to it. It was the lowest-scoring No. 1-vs.-No. 2 matchup/"Game of the Century" since Army and Notre Dame played to a scoreless tie in 1946. This cringe-worthy LSU-'Bama matchup was heavily criticized as a dud but got a chance to redeem itself in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, which Alabama won 21-0. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)