The 10 Biggest College Football Upsets of All Time (By Point Spread)
Updated October 23, 2026
Updated October 23, 2026
UMass pulled off the biggest upset of the 2026 college football season so far back on Thursday, September 3, when it beat Rutgers 37-21 as a 29.5-point underdog in Week 1.
The Minutemen weren't even expected to keep the game close, yet they won by 16 points. As surprising as that result was, it still wouldn't crack the 10 biggest upsets in college football history.
Below, I've ranked the 10 biggest college football upsets of all time by point spread, including the betting lines, final scores, and circumstances behind each unexpected victory.
Final Score: Idaho State 30, Nevada 28 | September 16, 2017
Idaho State comes in at No. 10 on our list after pulling off a 30-28 road victory over Nevada as a 34.5-point underdog. The FCS Bengals entered the matchup having lost 27 consecutive games against FBS opponents, including a 51-13 defeat to Utah State just nine days earlier. Their last win over an FBS team had come back in 2000.
Despite those struggles, Idaho State took control early and built a 23-7 halftime lead. Quarterback Tanner Gueller then connected with Michael Dean for a 50-yard touchdown in the third quarter, putting Idaho State ahead 30-7. The Bengals' defense also played a major role, forcing three turnovers and recording four sacks.
Nevada nearly erased the deficit, scoring 21 unanswered points and cutting the lead to 30-28 with 58 seconds remaining. However, the Wolf Pack failed on a game-tying two-point conversion, and Idaho State recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure its first FBS victory in 17 years.
The win also handed Nevada its first loss to an FCS opponent since 1994, making it a historic result for both programs.
Final Score: Central Michigan 21, Western Michigan 17 | November 11, 2000
Central Michigan entered its November 11, 2000 matchup against rival Western Michigan with a 1-8 record and seven consecutive losses. Meanwhile, the Broncos were 8-1, had won eight straight games, and were competing for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) title. With the teams heading in opposite directions, Central Michigan was a 34.5-point underdog.
Despite the massive spread, the Chippewas jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the opening five minutes. Quarterback Derrick Vickers connected with Ira Gooch for a 77-yard touchdown on the opening possession, then found David Hannah for another score following an interception.
Western Michigan eventually fought back, taking a 17-14 lead on Josh Bush's 73-yard punt return with 10:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Central Michigan responded with a 14-play, 71-yard touchdown drive, capped by Vince Webber's 1-yard run to regain the lead with 4:40 left.
The Chippewas' defense also came up big, intercepting Western Michigan quarterback Jeff Welsh three times and holding him to just 99 passing yards. The Broncos reached Central Michigan's 21-yard line on their final possession but couldn't score, allowing the Chippewas to secure a stunning 21-17 victory.
Final Score: Texas State 30, Houston 13 | September 1, 2012
Texas State pulled off a huge upset in its first official game as an FBS program, beating Houston 30-13 on the road as a 35-point underdog. The Bobcats were making the jump to college football's highest level, while Houston was coming off a 13-1 season in which it led the nation in scoring.
Texas State didn't just keep the game close, either. Running back Marcus Curry scored on a 21-yard reception and a 73-yard run in the first quarter before adding another rushing touchdown in the second. The Bobcats took a 27-10 lead into halftime and never trailed.
Curry finished with 131 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, while Texas State's defense held Houston to just 326 total yards and a 1-for-13 conversion rate on third down. The Bobcats also controlled the ball for more than 43 minutes, giving Houston's offense few opportunities to get back into the game.
The upset also worked out pretty well for one bettor, who reportedly put $2,000 on Texas State to win outright at 60-to-1 odds and walked away with $120,000 in winnings.
Final Score: Missouri 30, Notre Dame 26 | October 21, 1972
Missouri entered its October 21, 1972 matchup against Notre Dame coming off a 62-0 loss to Nebraska just one week earlier. The Tigers were 2-3 on the season and had finished 1-10 the previous year, while Notre Dame was undefeated and ranked No. 8 nationally. With the teams coming in under very different circumstances, Missouri was a 35-point underdog.
Despite the massive spread, Missouri took advantage of Notre Dame's mistakes early. The Tigers intercepted quarterback Tom Clements on the opening possession and turned it into a touchdown. Two short touchdown runs from Don Johnson helped Missouri take a 21-14 lead into halftime.
Missouri continued capitalizing on turnovers in the second half, eventually building a 30-14 lead in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame responded with two touchdowns to cut the deficit to four points, but failed on both two-point conversion attempts.
The Fighting Irish got the ball back with 2:26 remaining and a chance to complete the comeback. However, Missouri defensive back Mike Fink intercepted Clements to seal the 30-26 victory.
The upset helped turn Missouri's season around, as the Tigers went on to beat ranked Colorado and Kansas State teams before earning a Fiesta Bowl appearance.
Final Score: UTEP 23, BYU 16 | October 26, 1985
UTEP entered its October 26, 1985 matchup against BYU with an 0-6 record, while the Cougars were the defending national champions and ranked No. 7 in the country. BYU had also won 25 consecutive conference games, making the winless Miners a 35-point underdog.
UTEP had a plan to slow down BYU's high-powered passing attack, though. The Miners used an unusual defensive scheme, rushing just two players and dropping nine into coverage. It worked, as BYU quarterback Robbie Bosco threw four interceptions and finished with only 151 passing yards.
The biggest play came in the second quarter when UTEP defensive back Danny Taylor intercepted Bosco and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown, giving the Miners a 17-10 lead. UTEP extended its advantage to 20-10 by halftime and held on for a 23-16 victory.
The loss snapped BYU's 25-game conference winning streak, while UTEP finished the season 1-10, making this its only victory of the year. Fans even stormed the field and tore down the goalposts after the upset.
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Final Score: Temple 28, Virginia Tech 24 | October 17, 1998
Temple entered its October 17, 1998 matchup against Virginia Tech with an 0-6 record and 26 consecutive Big East road losses. Meanwhile, the Hokies were undefeated at 5-0, ranked No. 14 nationally, and had one of the country's best defenses. Temple was a 35.5-point underdog.
Virginia Tech appeared headed for another comfortable victory, jumping out to a 17-0 lead late in the second quarter. However, freshman quarterback Devin Scott, making his first career start, connected with Rahsaan Harrison for a 67-yard touchdown just before halftime.
The Owls continued their comeback in the third quarter. Jason McKie scored on a 13-yard run before Scott found Carlos Johnson for an 80-yard touchdown, giving Temple a 21-17 lead. Virginia Tech eventually went back ahead 24-21, but Scott responded with a 1-yard touchdown run to put Temple up 28-24 with just over six minutes remaining.
The Hokies nearly completed a comeback of their own, driving deep into Temple territory on their final possession. However, Virginia Tech running back Lamont Pegues was stopped at the 2-yard line on the game's final play, securing Temple's first victory over a ranked opponent since 1987.
Final Score: Syracuse 38, Louisville 35 | September 22, 2007
It took Syracuse just 16 seconds to show that this wouldn't be an ordinary Saturday in Louisville. On the Orange's first offensive play, quarterback Andrew Robinson connected with Taj Smith for a 79-yard touchdown, giving Syracuse an early 7-0 lead.
The fast start was especially surprising considering Syracuse entered the game 0-3, having scored just 32 points through its first three contests. Louisville, meanwhile, was ranked No. 18 nationally and had won 20 consecutive home games, making the Orange a 37-point underdog.
Syracuse kept the pressure on, taking a 21-7 lead into halftime behind another Robinson touchdown pass and Max Suter's 93-yard kickoff return. Robinson eventually finished with 423 passing yards and four touchdowns, helping the Orange build a 38-21 lead in the fourth quarter.
Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm threw for 555 yards and four touchdowns, but the Cardinals committed four turnovers and couldn't overcome the deficit. They scored twice late to make it 38-35, only for Syracuse to recover the ensuing onside kick and secure the upset.
The Orange finished the season just 2-10, making the victory another reminder that anything can happen on a college football Saturday, regardless of the records or point spread.
Final Score: Oregon State 21, Washington 20 | October 19, 1985
Oregon State had been outscored 97-0 in its previous two games, suffering shutout losses to USC and Washington State. Things weren't expected to get much better against Washington, which had won four straight games and was leading the Pac-10 championship race. The Beavers entered as a 37-point underdog.
Despite those struggles, Oregon State took a surprising 14-10 lead into halftime behind a touchdown pass and rushing score from freshman quarterback Rich Gonzales. Washington eventually fought back, taking a 20-14 lead in the fourth quarter.
The Beavers appeared to have missed their final opportunity when they turned the ball over on downs at Washington's 11-yard line with 3:22 remaining. However, Oregon State's defense forced a punt, setting up one of the most memorable finishes in college football history.
With just 1:46 remaining, Andre Todd blocked Washington's punt, and Lavance Northington recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Jim Nielsen converted the extra point to give Oregon State a 21-20 lead.
Washington couldn't answer, and the Beavers secured a victory that ended their four-game losing streak and Washington's 10-game winning streak in the series.
Final Score: Stanford 24, USC 23 | October 6, 2007
Stanford quarterback Tavita Pritchard had attempted just three college passes before making his first career start against No. 2 USC on October 6, 2007. He was filling in for injured starter T.C. Ostrander, facing a Trojans team that had won 35 consecutive home games.
The Cardinal entered as a 40.5-point underdog after going 1-11 the previous season and starting 1-3 under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. USC, meanwhile, was undefeated and had beaten Stanford 42-0 the year before.
The Trojans led 9-0 at halftime and eventually built a 23-17 advantage in the fourth quarter. However, four interceptions from USC quarterback John David Booty helped keep Stanford within striking distance.
Trailing by six with less than three minutes remaining, Stanford put together an unlikely game-winning drive. Pritchard converted a fourth-and-20 pass to Richard Sherman before finding Mark Bradford for a 10-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal with just 49 seconds left.
Stanford held on for a 24-23 victory, ending USC's 35-game home winning streak. Interestingly, the Cardinal had also been the last team to beat the Trojans at the Coliseum, back in 2001.
Final Score: Howard 43, UNLV 40 | September 2, 2017
The biggest upset in college football history, at least according to point spread, was actually fairly recent. On September 2, 2017, FCS program Howard traveled to Las Vegas and defeated UNLV 43-40 as a 45.5-point underdog, breaking the record Stanford had set against USC a decade earlier.
Howard was coming off a 2-9 season and had won just three games over the previous two years. However, freshman quarterback Caylin Newton, the younger brother of former NFL MVP Cam Newton, gave the Bison an unexpected spark in his college debut.
Howard jumped out to a 21-9 lead before UNLV scored 24 unanswered points to go ahead 33-21 in the third quarter. The Bison fought back, though, and the teams traded leads until Newton scored on a 4-yard touchdown run with 7:34 remaining to put Howard ahead 43-40.
Newton finished with 190 rushing yards, 140 passing yards, and three total touchdowns, while Howard's defense recovered three fumbles to help secure the victory.
The win was Howard's first against an FBS opponent and remains the largest documented point-spread upset in college football history, giving the Bison the No. 1 spot on our list.
While these games didn't make our top 10, they're still among the most memorable upsets in college football history.
Looking for the next underdog capable of pulling off a major upset? Check out our best college football bets this week for expert picks, predictions, and betting analysis ahead of the upcoming games.
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