Upsets and Underdogs: The Most Shocking Wins So Far

This season has been insane, with nonstop conference games, rival matchups, and unexpected upsets. Powerhouses have crumbled in the hostel stadiums, and unranked teams are rewriting the narrative week after week. From Florida State torching Alabama to Syracuse slicing Clemson, the scoreboard has become a graveyard of preseason predictions. No lead feels safe, no ranking is sacred, and college football is officially off the rails.

Week One - Florida State Over Alabama 31-17

In one of the most jaw-dropping upsets of the season, Florida State stunned eighth-ranked Alabama with a 31-17 win. A victory that sent shockwaves through the college football world. Coming off a dismal 2-10 campaign, the Seminoles enter the matchup as 13.5-point underdogs. However, new quarterback Tommy Castellanos, a transfer from Boston College, backed up his preseason bravado with 78 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, as well as 152 passing yards. Under Gus Malzahn's revamped offense, FSU dominated the ground game and exposed Alabama's vulnerabilities, ending the 23-game streak of season-opening wins. For a team desperate to reclaim relevance, this was just a win; it was a statement.

Week Two - South Florida Bulls Over Gators 18-16

 An unexplainable defeat. The Bulls, who were unranked, now ranked 18th, took down the Gators unexpectedly 18-16. A seismic upset that rattled rankings and rewrote expectations. Despite being outgained in total yardage 342-249, thanks to a clutch touchdown by Byrum Brown and Nico Gramaticas' field goal, the Bulls were able to seal their win. The Gators' collapse was compounded by 11 penalties for 103 yards- including two costly flags on the final drive that handed South Florida the momentum in the game.

Week Four - Syracuse Over Clemson 34-21

One of the most surprising matches of the season was when Syracuse defeated Clemson 34-21. Clemson is now ranked 49th. This was a triumph that shattered expectations and reignited belief in the power of grit and pedigree. Syracuse was able to pull through in the absence of their quarterback, Steve Angeli, who suffered a leg injury halfway through the game. Backup Rickie Collins stepped in and delivered, while Angeli had already thrown for 244 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game. Even without their main quarterback, they were still able to pull off a win. What a team! 

Week Four - Memphis Over Arkansas 32-31

Memphis over Arkansas is among the season's most unexpected and dramatic clashes. Memphis managed to get up 18 points. They scored seven points in the third quarter and 11 points in the fourth. Running back Sutton Smith had 147 rushing yards and a 64-yard touchdown. Quarterback Brendon Lewis added 199 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns, anchoring a comeback that culminated in a game-saving fumble recovery by Chris Bracy with just over a minute left.

Week Four - Indiana Over Illinois 63-10

Indiana over Illinois was a shocker that no one saw coming. Now ranked 11th, Indiana brought down Illinois before their defense even had time to catch its breath. Jaylin Lucas led the ground game with 104 rushing yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza was nearly flawless, completing 21 of 23 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns, carving up Illinois' secondary with surgical precision. Indiana's defense swarmed all night, sacking Luke Altmyer seven times and holding the Illini to just two rushing yards, a staggering stat that underscored the Hoosiers' domination.

Week Four - Texas Tech Over Utah 34-10

When Texas Tech beat Utah, it ranked among the year's most stunning high-stakes showdowns. Now ranked 14th, Texas Tech demolished  Utah, who are now ranked 24. Tech's quarterback, Behren Morton, threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns, completing 23 of 31 passes with no interceptions. Their offense racked up 602 total yards, outgaining Utah by nearly 200 yards. Texas Tech's defense was relentless, forcing four turnovers and holding Utah to just 263 total yards, including a mere 3.3 per rush, completely dismantling one of the Pac-12's most physical ground games.