Vanderbilt Stunning Alabama, Liberty Shocking Baylor, and Extra
The phrases “faculty soccer” and “upsets” are synonymous within the minds of followers throughout the nation, as the game has produced among the most gorgeous video games in sports activities historical past.
Whether or not it’s a small program taking down a nationwide big or a midseason shocker that derails a title contender, these video games depart an indelible mark on the game. Let’s discover the largest upsets which have altered the panorama of school soccer historical past.
With a wealth of upsets to select from, our choice standards targeted on playoff implications, level spreads, and total significance to compile the highest 10. Listed below are some notable video games that narrowly missed the lower:
- 2007: Pitt 13, No. 2 West Virginia 9
- 2007: Syracuse 38, No. 18 Louisville 35
- 1996: Memphis 21, Tennessee 17 (with Peyton Manning beneath middle)
- 2016: Houston 36, No. 5 Louisville 10
- 2012: Texas State 30, Houston 13
- 2000: Central Michigan 21, Western Michigan 17 (CMU was a 34.5-point canine)
- 2011: Iowa State 37, No. 2 Oklahoma State 31
2007: Appalachian State 34, No. 5 Michigan 32
Michigan shelled out $400,000 to deliver Appalachian State to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the season opener, anticipating a simple win towards the FCS program. But, it was a back-and-forth battle, with the Wolverines, ranked No. 5 within the FBS, main by only one level with 26 seconds left.
The second wasn’t too huge for Mountaineers kicker Julian Rauch, as he delivered a 24-yard discipline objective, gorgeous the group and clinching one of many largest upsets in all sports activities.
2007: Stanford 24, No. 2 USC 23
When the Cardinal stepped onto the sphere towards the Trojans, they had been 41-point underdogs, with redshirt sophomore QB Tavita Pritchard making his first profession begin. Second-ranked USC was on a 35-game dwelling profitable streak, whereas Stanford limped in with a 1-3 report and zero profitable seasons in seven years.
MORE: CFB Playoff Predictor
It was primed for a USC rout, however as a substitute, it turned certainly one of faculty soccer’s best upsets. In Jim Harbaugh’s inaugural season on the helm, Stanford’s protection pressured 5 turnovers and blocked an additional level, protecting the sport inside attain. Then, with simply 49 seconds left, Pritchard delivered a 10-yard TD on fourth down, capping off the inconceivable win.
2024: Northern Illinois 16, No. 5 Notre Dame 14
When Group of 5 groups make the trek to face Energy 4 colleges — or, on this case, Notre Dame — there’s often a big monetary incentive. For the Huskies, their journey to South Bend, Ind., in Week 2 got here with a hefty price ticket of $1.4 million.
Whereas that quantity grabs consideration, the importance of the upset is much more outstanding. At kickoff, the Preventing Irish had been such heavy favorites that the unfold soared to -28 of their favor, marking one of many largest strains for any FBS vs. FBS matchup through the slate.
But, Northern Illinois was unfazed, incomes its first non-conference victory towards a ranked opponent since 2003 (19-16 vs. Alabama) and its first-ever win over a top-10 staff.
1957: Notre Dame 7, No. 2 Oklahoma 0
Whereas a lot of the nation wasn’t even born earlier than this sport, that doesn’t take away from its significance.
The Sooners as soon as held the longest profitable streak in faculty soccer historical past, racking up 47 consecutive wins from 1953 to 1957. Coming into their 1957 matchup with unranked Notre Dame, the No. 2 Sooners had been 19-point favorites, had gone 123 video games with out being shut out, and so they had been off back-to-back nationwide championships.
However the Preventing Irish didn’t care. In a defensive battle the place neither staff might break by, Notre Dame orchestrated a 20-play, 80-yard drive within the fourth quarter, sealing a surprising 7-0 victory and ending Oklahoma’s historic streak.
2017: Howard 43, UNLV 40
In 2017, UNLV was such a heavy favourite over Howard that some Las Vegas sportsbooks didn’t even supply some extent unfold. Different books pegged the Rebels as 45-point favorites, setting the stage for what appeared like a routine blowout.
Howard was anticipated to be the sufferer, because the Bison had been paid $600,000 to make the trek to Nevada. However Caylin Newton, Cam Newton’s youthful brother, had different plans. The freshman signal-caller threw for 330 yards and three scores, main the Bison to an electrical 43-40 victory that marked the largest point-spread upset in faculty soccer historical past.
2010: James Madison 21, No. 13 Virginia Tech 16
Virginia Tech, ranked No. 10 coming into the 2010 season, was a 33-point favourite towards FCS opponent James Madison. After the Hokies’ opening loss to Boise State, this matchup appeared like an ideal rebound alternative.
The Dukes had been outscored 90-0 of their earlier conferences with Virginia Tech, however this time was completely different. JMU stored the sport inside attain, and QB Drew Dudzik’s 12-yard TD run locked up a stunning 21-16 victory. Nonetheless, the upset didn’t utterly derail the Hokies, as they regrouped, gained 11 straight, and ended the yr ranked fifteenth.
2012: Baylor 52, No. 1 Kansas State 24
Only a week after the Wildcats ascended to the No. 1 spot within the BCS standings, Baylor rocked the nationwide image. The Bears additionally tanked Ok-State QB Collin Klein’s Heisman hopes, as they sacked him twice and snatched three interceptions within the contest.
The 52-24 victory was Baylor’s first win over a top-ranked opponent since outlasting No. 2 Tennessee 13-7 within the 1957 Sugar Bowl.
2017: Liberty 48, Baylor 45
Of their FBS debut, Liberty shocked the school soccer world with a surprising Week 1 street win over Baylor as 34-point canine. The Bears battled again late, reducing the result in 48-45 with 5 minutes left, and even had an opportunity to steal the sport. However with simply over 30 seconds left, Baylor regained possession, just for Anu Solomon’s ultimate go to be intercepted with six seconds remaining, securing Liberty’s upset.
The loss marked Baylor’s first to a lower-division staff since 1981, when DII Lamar surprised them.
1998: Temple 28, No. 2 Virginia Tech 24
In Oct. 1998, Temple entered Blacksburg, Va., to face undefeated No. 14 Virginia Tech, carrying an 0-26 Huge East street report and a dismal 1-6 begin to the season.
The Hokies, led by the Mike Vick, shortly jumped to a 17-0 lead, main individuals to imagine the sport was already within the bag with the Owls that includes 10 first-time starters, together with freshman QB Devin Scott. However Temple, dealing with Tech’s fourth-ranked protection, rallied behind Scott’s 155 yards and two TDs, pulling off an inconceivable comeback.
The win was Temple’s first over a ranked opponent since 1987, and Coach Bobby Wallace famous the victory was much more outstanding contemplating how banged-up his staff was.
2024: Vanderbilt 40, No. 1 Alabama 35
Vanderbilt’s victory over the No. 1-ranked Alabama staff in 2024 will probably be remembered as one of many defining upsets in current faculty soccer historical past. Coming into the competition as heavy underdogs, the Commodores displayed outstanding composure and tactical self-discipline towards a program synonymous with dominance. Their protection set the tone early, disrupting Alabama’s offensive rhythm and creating alternatives by turnovers and decisive stops.
SCENES AT VANDY AS NO. 1 GOES DOWN!
VANDERBILT SHOCKS THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL WORLD WITH ITS FIRST WIN OVER BAMA IN 40 YEARS! pic.twitter.com/Rzumabs75E
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 5, 2024
On the opposite aspect of the ball, Vanderbilt’s offense seized momentum at key moments, executing with precision and resilience to capitalize on uncommon openings towards the Crimson Tide.
The sport’s defining sequence got here within the second half, when Vanderbilt held agency towards Alabama’s late surge and closed with a poised scoring drive that cemented the end result. Past the scoreboard, the win represented a pivotal second for the Commodore program, proving their capability to compete on the highest degree.
