14 Highest Scoring FBS Games In College Football History

College football viewers love points. The chaos that a back-and-forth high-scoring matchup provides is unmatched. There’s nothing better than watching two unstoppable offensive juggernauts move up and down the field with ease.

Since the FBS’s inception in 1978, there have been 14 games to total 130 points or more. Many of those games include lengthy overtime sessions.

While there have been higher scoring contests in the past – for example, Georgia Tech’s 222-0 shellacking of Cumberland in 1916 – we’ll focus strictly on the modern era of college football.

Below are the 14 highest scoring games in FBS history.

UCLA vs. Washington State (2019)

Chip Kelly’s UCLA Bruins took down then-PAC 12 rival Washington State, led by Mike Leach, 67-63. It was the highest scoring game in the 2019 season.

The two offenses combined for 130 points. UCLA overcame a 49-17 second half deficit to emerge victorious.

Michigan vs. Illinois (2010)

Michigan beat Big Ten foe Illinois 67-65 in the 2010 campaign. Three overtime sessions were needed to decide a winner.

It is still the highest-scoring game in conference history, though it ranks 13th in the FBS record books.

West Virginia vs. Baylor (2012)

West Virginia beat Baylor in the 2012 season, 70-63. It still stands as the highest scoring contest between two Big 12 teams.

In their conference debut, the Mountaineers saw QB Geno Smith throw more touchdowns than incompletions while racking up 656 passing yards.

Middle Tennessee vs. Florida Atlantic (2016)

Middle Tennessee bested Florida Atlantic in Conference USA play back in 2016. The final score totaled 133 points with the Blue Raiders winning the contest, 77-56.

Three different players rushed for more than 200 yards. The 77 points set a record for the most in MTSU history.

San Jose State vs. Rice (2004)

Rice fell to the San Jose State Spartans 70-63 in this 2004 showdown. At the time, it set an FBS record for most points scored in regulation with 133.

Rice rushed for nearly 600 yards and still lost the ballgame. A defensive touchdown, ironically, would seal the deal for SJSU.

Western Kentucky vs. Marshall (2014)

Western Kentucky narrowly escaped a 2014 battle vs. Marshall with a 67-66 victory. The Hilltoppers needed overtime to do so.

Both teams totaled more than 700 yards of offense. A Western Kentucky two-point conversion in the first OT session ended the game.

Arkansas vs. Kentucky (2003)

Arkansas took down SEC rival Kentucky 71-63 in a game during the 2003 campaign that needed seven overtime periods to decide.

The 134 total points stood as the SEC record until 2018 before being toppled by another game on this list.

UNLV vs. Wyoming (2016)

UNLV beat Wyoming 69-66 in 2016 in a game that saw 135 points scored. Eighty-two of those points were scored after halftime.

The matchup went final after a third overtime session thanks to a Josh Allen interception and walk-off UNLV field goal.

Navy vs. North Texas (2007)

Navy and North Texas did not need overtime to tie for the No. 5 spot on this list. In a wacky 2007 season, the Midshipmen beat the Mean Green 74-62.

The teams scored 63 points in the second quarter alone. Navy rushed for nearly 600 yards in the win.

Boise State vs. Nevada (2007)

Interestingly enough, that previously mentioned matchup only tied for the highest scoring contest of 2007. Like we said, it was a wacky season!

Boise State beat Nevada 69-67 in four overtimes with the two sides totaling 136 points.

Pitt vs. Syracuse (2016)

This game has claim to the top spot in some folks’ eyes. It remains the highest scoring output for two teams across four quarters.

Pitt beat Syracuse 76-61. There was no overtime, only regulation. It still holds the title of highest scoring game in ACC history.

Western Michigan vs. Buffalo (2017)

Western Michigan squeaked by MAC rival Buffalo, 71-68, in this high scoring college football meeting.

The contest saw seven overtimes and lasted nearly five hours. The Bulls’ 68 points were the most ever by a losing team until the mark was broken the following year.

SMU vs. Houston (2022)

SMU beat Houston in a battle of high-powered Texas units during the 2022 season. The Mustangs outlasted the Cougars, 77-63.

Houston cut the SMU advantage to 14 points on four occasions but was unable to stop the Mustangs offense, which totaled nearly 650 yards.

Texas A&M vs. LSU (2018)

Texas A&M beat LSU in a seven-overtime matchup in 2018. It is the highest scoring game in SEC and FBS history at 146 points.

The Tigers’ 72 points are the most ever for a losing team. The two sides combined for more points in overtime (84) than in regulation (62).