Vanderbilt’s historic upset against No. 1 Alabama, where jubilant fans paraded the goal posts through the streets of Nashville, was just the beginning of an extraordinary Saturday in college football. The day turned out to be one of the most chaotic in recent memory for the AP poll. Four teams ranked in the top 11 were defeated by unranked opponents, a rare occurrence not seen since the tumultuous 2007 season that culminated with LSU as the champion with two losses.
Despite a seemingly quiet schedule with only one matchup between ranked teams, the day unfolded dramatically as No. 1 Alabama, No. 4 Tennessee, No. 10 Michigan, and No. 11 Southern California all succumbed to unranked teams. This marked the first instance of two SEC teams in the top five losing to unranked conference rivals on the same day and the first time since 2007 that four top 11 teams fell to unranked opponents in a single day.
Vanderbilt set the tone by stunning Alabama 40-35, ending Alabama’s reign just a week after they secured the top ranking with a victory over Georgia. The Commodores made history by breaking a 0-60 streak against top-five teams. The fans, filled with elation, dismantled the goal posts and carried them over two miles before tossing them into the Cumberland River.
Following the Vanderbilt upset, the upsets continued with Tennessee falling to Arkansas, Michigan’s loss to Washington, and USC’s defeat by Minnesota. These unexpected outcomes provided thrilling games that left fans in awe. Notably, Michigan’s defeat ended their 24-game winning streak in Big Ten regular-season play. Meanwhile, USC’s loss to Minnesota marked the Gophers’ first victory over the Trojans since 1955.
The upsets did not end there, as No. 9 Missouri suffered a heavy 41-10 defeat at the hands of No. 25 Texas A&M. The day of upsets and surprises highlighted the unpredictable nature of college football, showcasing the great parity and competition in the sport.
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea expressed his joy over the milestone win stating, “This is the dream, right here. And for the next 12 hours, I’m going to enjoy the dream. We’ve got more ahead of us, but this is what Vanderbilt football needs to be about: Big wins on big stages. We’re going to go get some more.” The day’s events exemplified the sheer excitement and unpredictability that make college football a beloved and cherished sport by fans across the nation.
