Ep 2. Miracles On The Plains

Miracles On The Plains is the second episode of the second season of the ESPN Films series. This episode depicts the inspiring story of the Auburn University football team and its journey to the 2013 Bowl Championship Series National Championship game.

The episode begins by setting the stage for the 2013 football season and the challenges faced by the Auburn Tigers. The team had struggled the previous year, finishing with a disappointing 3-9 record. However, the team's new coach, Gus Malzahn, was determined to turn things around and reinvigorate the program. He promised the team and the fans that Auburn would become a contender again and compete for a national championship.

What follows is a captivating montage of the key moments of Auburn's season, highlighting the team's heart-stopping victories and moments of adversity. The team struggled early in the season, losing a heartbreaker to LSU and struggling to find its identity on offense. However, as the season progressed, the team began to gel and find its rhythm, led by a fearsome offensive attack and a gritty defense.

The episode then focuses on the team's historic comeback win against the Georgia Bulldogs in early November. Auburn was trailing in the final seconds of the game, but a miraculous play on a tipped pass led to a last-second touchdown and a dramatic victory. The moment would go down in Auburn lore as one of the greatest comebacks in college football history.

The Auburn Tigers continued to roll through the remaining games of the regular season, finishing with a 12-1 record and winning the Southeastern Conference championship. The team earned a spot in the national championship game against the Florida State Seminoles, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston.

The episode builds to a crescendo with a dramatization of the national championship game, replete with stunning footage and play-by-play narration. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading momentum and big plays. However, it was the play of Auburn's dynamic quarterback, Nick Marshall, that kept them in the game. He threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for 100 yards and another score.

As the game entered its final minutes, Auburn appeared to be on the brink of winning its second national championship in school history. However, fate had other plans. With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Florida State scored the go-ahead touchdown, leaving Auburn with only a few precious seconds to mount a response. Tragically, it was not to be. The comeback that almost was fell just short, and the Auburn Tigers finished as runners-up.

Despite the loss, the episode ends on a positive note, highlighting the incredible spirit and resilience of the Auburn team. Throughout the course of the season, the team had overcome immense adversity and forged a bond that went beyond the game of football. As Coach Malzahn notes in the closing moments of the episode, the team had accomplished something special and had made history in the process.

Overall, Miracles On The Plains is a compelling and captivating piece of sports storytelling. It transports viewers back to the glory days of Auburn football and allows them to relive the drama, excitement, and heartbreak of that unforgettable 2013 season. Whether you are an Auburn fan or just a lover of college football, this episode is a must-watch.