Everybody loves a great upset.
Cheering for the underdog is enjoyable, and you do not see them successful too usually. However this received us considering— what have been the largest upsets within the NFL and college football seasons this 12 months?
Did any double-digit underdogs win this 12 months? Is it extra frequent for underdogs to win in faculty soccer than within the NFL? For those who’re asking these questions, we have got you coated.
FOX Sports activities Analysis took a dive into the info and broke down the highest 5 greatest upsets in every sport, based mostly off level unfold. Did your group make the checklist?
Let’s have a look:
NFL
Cowboys (+10.5) at Commanders, Week 12
The largest upset of the season when it from some extent unfold perspective got here from the Cowboys in Week 12, taking down the Commanders as 10.5-point underdogs on the highway. Cooper Rush completed 24-of-32 with 247 passing yards and two passing scores with no interceptions to upset Washington— who simply clinched a playoff berth final week. Since 2022, underdogs of 10+ factors are 9-55 straight up (SU) in that span— and simply 1-14 within the 2024 season. Via 17 weeks of play, the Cowboys are the one group to have gained as a double-digit underdog.
Raiders (+9) at Ravens, Week 2
Baltimore had a gradual begin to the season, dropping their opening recreation to the Chiefs after which dropping as nine-point favorites to the Raiders within the following week. Whilst you may assume upsets are extra frequent earlier within the season, underdogs of nine-or-more factors in Week 2 are literally 2-16 since 2015 and 3-36 since 2004. When wanting on the Raiders particularly, they’re 6-29 SU as underdogs of nine-or-more factors in common season video games for the reason that 2010 season.
Patriots (+8) at Bengals, Week 1
Week 1 began off with a giant upset, because the Patriots have been the favorites to complete with the worst file within the NFL getting into the season. Vegas wasn’t improper, as they’re at present 3-13— which is tied for the worst file by way of 17 weeks. Nonetheless, they took down Joe Burrow and the Bengals as eight-point highway underdogs within the opening recreation of the season. Since 2002, New England has solely been an underdog of eight-or-more factors in ten common season video games— going 2-8 in these contests. The opposite win got here in 2016, when Jimmy Garoppolo received the beginning in opposition to the Cardinals and gained as an 8.5-point ‘canine.
Broncos (+8) at Jets, Week 4
Whereas this one may come as a shock, bookmakers and followers alike did not know that the Jets would find yourself 4-12 on the season getting into Week 18. On the opposite finish, nobody thought that the Broncos could be 9-7 and preventing for a playoff spot getting into the final week of the season. In Week 4, Bo Nix took on the Jets as eight-point highway underdogs and gained by some extent in a recreation that noticed simply 19 mixed factors. Denver has been on a tear in opposition to the unfold (ATS) this season, going 11-5— tied for the second-best cowl fee within the league. The Broncos are 5-22 SU as underdogs of eight-or-more factors since 1998, with this being the primary such win since 2021.
Titans (+8) at Texans, Week 12
Like a number of different groups on this checklist, the Titans have struggled all 12 months— at present 3-13 on the season, tied for the worst file within the NFL. However Brian Callahan’s squad received a much-needed win in Week 12, taking down the Texans as eight-point highway underdogs. Here is a nugget that ought to put into perspective simply how uncommon this kind of win was for Tennessee: since 1985, the Titans are 9-43 SU as underdogs of eight-or-more factors.
School soccer
Northern Illinois (+28) at 5 Notre Dame, Week 2
The most important underdog to win in faculty soccer this 12 months was Northern Illinois in Week 2, taking down Notre Dame as 28-point underdogs. The Irish loss was their first defeat as a prime 5 group in opposition to an unranked opponent since 2002. Getting into that recreation, MAC groups have been 0-50 in opposition to AP prime 5 groups since 1978— way back to our odds database goes. It was the primary win in opposition to a prime 5 group ever in Northern Illinois’ historical past, as they have been 0-14 in opposition to prime ten groups since 1978.
Liberty at Kennesaw State (+27), Week 9
This was simply one of many best upsets within the entirety of the faculty soccer season. Liberty entered the matchup as a 27-point favourite in opposition to an 0-6 Kennesaw State group. However what makes this upset actually particular is that the Owls 2024 season was their first on the FBS stage. They misplaced these six video games by a median of 19.3 factors per outing and have been taking over a Flames group that was not solely 5-0, however coming off a 13-0 common season marketing campaign in 2023. However by some means, Kennesaw State did it. They pulled out a 27-24 victory at residence to get their first win as an FBS program.
Vanderbilt (+23.5) at 1 Alabama, Week 6
Possibly the largest win in program historical past, Vanderbilt took down No. 1 ranked Alabama as 23.5-point underdogs in a shootout in Week 6. The win was so historic that we have listed out a number of nuggets under to contextualize simply how unbelievable it was:
- Alabama closed as a 23.5-point favourite; this was solely the sixth time since 1978 that an AP No. 1 ranked group had misplaced as a 23+ level favourite, and the primary time since 2008.
- AP No. 1 groups which might be 23+ level favorites at the moment are 244-6 since 1978.
- Alabama entered the sport with a 60-0 file when taking part in because the AP No. 1 group and being a favourite of 20+ factors since 1978.
- Alabama entered the sport with a 155-3 file when a 20+ level favourite since 1978 (misplaced to Georgia Tech (+24) in 1981, LSU (+24) in 1993, and UL Monroe (+24.5) in 2007).
- Alabama misplaced to an unranked opponent because the AP No. 1 group for simply the fourth time ever (misplaced to Texas A&M in 2021, Mississippi State in 1980, to Georgia Tech in 1962).
- Alabama entered the sport with a 60-2 file in opposition to unranked opponents when taking part in because the AP No. 1 group since 1978 (misplaced to Texas A&M in 2021 and Mississippi State in 1980).
- Vanderbilt is now 1-7 vs the AP No. 1 group since 1978; in these seven losses they scored a mixed 44 factors (had 40 in opposition to Alabama).
- Vanderbilt additionally picked up their first win vs an AP prime 5 group ever; entered the sport 0-60 all-time s vs AP prime 5 opponents.
Georgia State (+23) at Texas State, Week 13
Dell McGee’s first season as the top coach of Georgia State was a tricky one. The Panthers completed 3-9 on the 12 months and entered their matchup in opposition to Texas State on a seven-game dropping streak. However regardless of being 23-point underdogs in opposition to the Bobcats, they have been capable of pull off an eight-point win in a recreation that noticed 96 mixed factors. They do not name the Solar Belt convention the “enjoyable belt” for no cause.
Stanford (+21) at 22 Louisville, Week 12
Stanford’s first 12 months within the ACC wasn’t superb, ending 3-9 and 2-6 in convention play. However Troy Taylor & Co. received an enormous win in opposition to twenty second ranked Louisville in Week 12. The win snapped a six-game dropping streak and was Stanford’s third and closing win of the season. The Cardinal recorded their first win vs an AP-ranked opponent since 2021, and are simply 1-14 in opposition to prime 25 opponents since 2022— with the lone win coming in opposition to Louisville. Since 1978, ACC groups which might be 20 to 25-point underdogs in opposition to fellow ACC groups are 11-127 SU. This was actually a giant upset.
