Shocking Turnarounds: This Year’s Most Jaw-Dropping NFL and College Football Upsets!

The biggest upsets in the NFL and college football this year have captured the attention of fans everywhere.

Rooting for the underdog is an exhilarating experience, especially when they defy the odds. This year, several teams surprised fans and analysts alike, leading to thrilling moments on the field. What were the standout upsets in the NFL and college football this season?

FOX Sports Research analyzed the statistics and highlighted the top five upsets in each sport based on point spread. Fans may wonder if their favorite team made the list.

Let’s explore these remarkable games:

NFL

Cowboys (+10.5) at Commanders, Week 12

The biggest upset of the NFL season occurred in Week 12, when the Cowboys triumphed over the Commanders as 10.5-point underdogs. Quarterback Cooper Rush delivered an impressive performance, completing 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns without any interceptions. This victory marked a significant moment for the Cowboys, who became the only team to win as a double-digit underdog this season. Historically, underdogs of 10+ points have struggled, with a record of 9-55 straight up since 2022, and only one win in the 2024 season.

Raiders (+9) at Ravens, Week 2

Patriots (+8) at Bengals, Week 1

Broncos (+8) at Jets, Week 4

Titans (+8) at Texans, Week 12

College Football

Northern Illinois (+28) at 5 Notre Dame, Week 2

In college football, the most shocking upset came from Northern Illinois in Week 2, as they defeated fifth-ranked Notre Dame while being 28-point underdogs. This loss marked the first time since 2002 that a top five team fell to an unranked opponent. The game was particularly historic for Northern Illinois, as they had never won against a top five team before, with a previous record of 0-14 against top ten teams since 1978.

Liberty at Kennesaw State (+27), Week 9

One of the most remarkable upsets in college football occurred when Kennesaw State, an 0-6 team, faced Liberty, who was favored by 27 points. This game was significant not only for the outcome but also because it was Kennesaw State’s first season at the FBS level. Against all odds, they secured a 27-24 victory, marking their first win as an FBS program.

Vanderbilt (+23.5) at 1 Alabama, Week 6

Vanderbilt achieved what many considered the biggest upset in their program’s history by defeating No. 1 Alabama as 23.5-point underdogs in Week 6. This win was historic, as it was only the sixth time since 1978 that an AP No. 1 ranked team lost as a 23+ point favorite. The victory also marked Vanderbilt’s first win against an AP top five team, ending a long-standing streak of 0-60 against such opponents.

Georgia State (+23) at Texas State, Week 13

Georgia State, under the leadership of head coach Dell McGee, faced a challenging season, finishing with a 3-9 record. However, in Week 13, they pulled off an impressive upset against Texas State as 23-point underdogs, winning by eight points in a high-scoring game with 96 combined points.

Stanford (+21) at 22 Louisville, Week 12

In Week 12, Stanford secured a significant win against No. 22 Louisville, marking their first victory over an AP-ranked opponent since 2021. This upset came during a challenging season for Stanford, who finished 3-9 overall and 2-6 in conference play. The win snapped a six-game losing streak and underscored the unpredictable nature of college football.

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