Sports - Main Story

Ultimate upsets (11/30/07)

A week-by-week analysis of the 2007 college football season proves anything is possible—though OSU fans wish it wasn’t

Column by Mitch Lex, '09

The University of South Florida is ranked #2.”

“Appalachian State beats Michigan at the Big House.”

In any other college football season, these headlines would be almost as rare as The University of Notre Dame winning a bowl game, but in a season filled with mind-boggling upsets and heart-stopping plays, the underdog has vanished.

While many fans of powerhouse teams such as The University of Southern California and The Ohio State University are filled with frustration and disappointment, the parity of this season has reminded many college football fans why they love the sport so much.

Sept. 1, 2007

Year after year, the college football season starts off with national powerhouses playing schools smaller than UAHS. This year, however, the underdog bit back. After an upsetting loss to USC in the Rose Bowl last year, The University of Michigan came into the 2007 season with hopes of contending for a national championship. Little did they know their first test would come at home against Appalachian State University. After trailing nearly the entire game, the Wolverines came back in the fourth quarter to set themselves up for victory on a last-second field goal attempt. With three seconds remaining, the Mountaineers blocked the field goal to seal the 34-32 victory many consider the greatest upset of all time.

Sept. 8, 2007

Just 13 years after becoming a Division I team, USF was expected to lose more than half of its games this year, and their game at SEC powerhouse Auburn University was expected to be one of those losses. But the Bulls, along with head coach Jim Leavitt, had other plans. After a back-and-forth game for the first three quarters, USF kicker Delbert Alvarado kicked an 18-yard field goal with 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 20 and later sent it into overtime. USF quarterback Matt Grothe threw a 14-yard touchdown pass in overtime to clinch the victory, 26-23.

Sept. 29, 2007

After being upset by the USF Bulls just three weeks earlier, the Auburn Tigers had the chance to upset The University of Florida when they met the fourth ranked Gators and Heisman hopeful quarterback Tim Tebow. After being down 17-0 in the third quarter, Tebow led the Gators back to tie it 17-17 in the fourth quarter. But the Tigers prevailed, putting the fate of the game on the leg of Wes Byrum, kicking the game-winning 43-yard field goal as time was expiring.

Oct. 6 2007

In the first week of October, it was Stanford University’s turn to play spoiler against USC in Los Angeles. Many didn’t expect the Cardinal to even be in the game after the first quarter. Despite being 41 point underdogs, Stanford upset the mighty Trojans 24-23 on a fourth down touchdown catch by Mark Bradford with 49 seconds remaining.

Nov. 10, 2007

After losing by seven points to Illinois, OSU seemed to be the final team to succumb to the dreaded upset. Although the Buckeyes were upset victims themselves, head coach Jim Tressel said he believes this unique season is a positive one for college football.

“There is a great parity in sports. Anyone can win if they do the things necessary despite the opponent. This has been beneficial to us because it gives us a legitimate chance if we can perform every week,” Tressel said.

After looking back on the season, Tressel said he noticed improvement in his team every week, but two games stood out especially.

“Saturday night against Penn State was a very big game and, as always, Michigan,” Tressel said.

Although the dramatic wins and upsets that have occured this year won’t become a regualr theme, it has certainly been a season to remember.

 

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