14 Of The Biggest Upsets In College Football History

As sports gambling continues to become more popular with legal markets coming to the United States, the average fan is being more prevalently exposed to betting lines in the leadup to big games. Television networks are pushing the topic to viewers. Each company seems to have its own sportsbook.

College football is a sport used heavily in marketing sports betting. One of the nation’s most watched forms of entertainment, it offers the perfect outlet for sportsbooks looking to attract customers and get fans even more enthralled in the action.

As gambling gains more traction, fans are becoming more familiar with the terminology. It’s safe to say that most bets are placed on the spread.

That line tells fans which side is the favorite, and by how much. Those spreads can be valuable when judging the magnitude of unexpected upsets on the gridiron.

We’ve been able to gather game lines dating back to the 1980 season. Below are 14 of the biggest upsets according to the spread over the last 45 years.

New Mexico over Boise State (2015)

The Lobos entered the game as 31.5-point underdogs in Boise but emerged victorious, 31-24.

New Mexico jumped out to a 17-3 before the Broncos evened the game at 17-17. The Lobos then scored two touchdowns in a two-minute span to pull away in the fourth quarter.

Northwestern over Minnesota (1982)

Despite playing at home, the Wildcats were 31.5-point underdogs against the rival Golden Gophers. They’d leave with a 31-21 Big Ten victory.

Northwestern ended a seven-game losing skid with the win. They would go onto lose four of their last five contests to finish the year at 3-8.

Morgan State over NC A&T (2018)

NC A&T came into the game as a 32.5-point favorite at 3-0 and riding a 15-game winning streak. Morgan State was 0-3. They’d leave with a 16-13 win on the road.

Morgan State outscored NC A&T 6-0 in the fourth quarter, kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired.

James Madison over Virginia Tech (2010)

Then-FCS program James Madison took down thirteenth-ranked Virginia Tech in Blacksburg in 2010. The Dukes were 32.5-point underdogs.

The Hokies jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead but were outscored 21-6 the rest of the way.

UL Monroe over Liberty (2021)

UL Monroe hosted Liberty as a 32.5-point underdog in 2021, the most recent of any game on this list.

The Warhawks erased a 14-point halftime deficit with a 28-point third quarter. A 53-yard field goal in the final two minutes provided a 31-28 victory.

North Texas over Texas Tech (1997)

Texas Tech was a 33-point favorite in Lubbock when facing North Texas in 1997. They’d fall at home, 30-27.

A second matchup between the two instate foes nearly made this list, too, with the Mean Green winning as 30-point ‘dogs in 1999.

Oregon State over Washington (1985)

Oregon State beat PAC 12 rival Washington in 1985 as a 35-point underdog on the road. It remains the second largest upset in league history.

A two-minute drill in the fourth quarter helped the Beavers take a 21-20 lead. It was the largest point spread upset in college football history at the time.

Central Michigan over Western Michigan (2000)

Central Michigan entered the game at 1-8. Western Michigan was 8-1. That didn’t matter when the MAC rivals took the field.

The Mustangs fell as 35.5-point favorites on the road, 21-17. The Chippewas scored the go-ahead touchdown with less than five minutes left to play.

Temple over Virginia Tech (1998)

Virginia Tech makes its second appearance on the list with a loss to Temple as 36-point favorites in 1998.

The Owls erased a 17-0 deficit to pick up their first win over a ranked foe in more than a decade. They finished the season just 2-9.

UTEP over BYU (1985)

BYU was ranked No. 7 in the nation at the time of this meeting. UTEP was winless and a 36-point underdog.

Somehow, they’d leave with a 23-16 win in El Paso. The Miners would finish the year at 1-10 while the Cougars went 11-2 in the regular season.

Texas State over Houston (2012)

Houston was a 36.5-point underdog in 2012 when facing Texas State. They’d fall in blowout fashion, 30-13.

The Bobcats dominated from start to finish, never trailing in the 17-point victory. It was their first game as FBS members.

Syracuse over Louisville (2007)

Louisville was a 36.5-point favorite over rival Syracuse in 2007 at home. Ranked in the Top 20, the Cardinals hosted a winless Orange team.

Syracuse largely controlled the game, leading by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter before a pair of late Louisville scores made the 38-35 final score appear closer.

Stanford over USC (2007)

This game remains the largest upset in PAC 12 history. USC was favored by 38.5 points over Stanford in 2007. They’d fall, 24-23.

The Cardinal scored 10 points in the final five minutes to pull out the win. They scored all 24 of their points after halftime with 17 coming in the fourth quarter.

Howard over UNLV (2017)

The largest upset in terms of point spread in college football history is Howard’s 43-40 victory over UNLV in 2017. The Rebels were 45-point favorites.

Bison QB Caylin Newton, brother of Cam Newton, totaled 330 yards of offense and scored the game-winning touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.