Signature Moments: 10 Biggest Upsets of the BCS Era

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 23, 2009

Signature Moments: 10 Biggest Upsets of the BCS Era

Boise State 43, Oklahoma 42 (OT)

The American Dream embodied in one football game. Scrappy underdog takes Fiesta Bowl lead, then loses it, then comes back to win using the ultimate backyard play, the Statue of Liberty. The icing on the cake? After scoring the winning two-point conversion, Boise State back Ian Johnson proposes to Broncos cheerleader Chrissy Popadics. She accepts.

Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32

The regular season in the year of the upset began with this stunner. The Mountaineers blocked a potential game-winning field goal, and 110,000 at the Big House went silent.

Texas 41, USC 38

Everyone had all but handed the national title to the Trojans, but Longhorns quarterback Vince Young refused to give up. Young threw for 267 yards and rushed for 200 in the greatest championship game performance in college football history.

Ohio State 31, Miami 24 (2OT)

Perhaps the greatest collection of future NFL talent ever assembled fell on what most Hurricanes fans consider a phantom pass interference call. The Buckeyes weren't complaining.

Stanford 24, USC 23

While USC's loss at Washington last weekend may seem like the worst, this was the most shocking of the Trojans' unexpected Pac-10 stumbles. USC also lost to Oregon this season, but the Trojans would have played for the national title if not for a loss to the Cardinal, who finished the 2007 season with a 4-8 record.

Pittsburgh 13, West Virginia 9

A regular season defined by upsets wouldn't end without a doozy. The Mountaineers just needed to dispatch the 4-7 Panthers in the Backyard Brawl to secure a spot in the BCS title game. But quarterback Pat White got hurt, and West Virginia fell apart.

Tennessee 34, Florida 32

In a game delayed by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, massive underdog Tennessee shocked Steve Spurrier's best Florida team and stole the SEC east title. Tennessee tailback Travis Stephens rushed for 226 yards, and Florida quarterback Rex Grossman couldn't connect on a late two-point conversion that would have forced overtime.

Kansas State 35, Oklahoma 7

The Sooners entered undefeated and seemed bound to win the BCS title. But after Oklahoma scored the first touchdown, quarterback Ell Roberson led the Wildcats to 35 consecutive points. A flaw in the BCS computer rankings allowed the Sooners to still play in the BCS title game, but they were thrashed by LSU.

Temple 28, Virginia Tech 24

A year before the Hokies played for the national title, they started the season 5-0 and saw it derailed with a loss to the 0-5 Owls.

N.C. State 24, Florida State 7

The Seminoles were a 25-point favorite, but future Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke threw an ACC-record six interceptions. FSU bounced back, though. The Noles went on to face Tennessee in the first BCS title game in the Fiesta Bowl.