View Full Version : Biggest upset of all time...
Many are calling Applachian State's upset of Michigan the biggest sports upset of all time. What do you consider the biggest upsets of all time in all of sportsdome?
Jason
09-04-2007, 07:37 PM
"Do you believe in miracles? YES!"
U.S. beats U.S.S.R. in men's ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, February 22, 1980.
Way more meaningful and emotional than other upsets.
rossid
09-04-2007, 07:39 PM
Not the biggest but the Reds World Series win over the As in four straight in 1990 is cool.
clemsontigers23
09-04-2007, 07:42 PM
"Do you believe in miracles? YES!"
U.S. beats U.S.S.R. in men's ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, February 22, 1980.
Way more meaningful and emotional than other upsets.
There you go.
Buster Douglas over a seemingly invincible Mike Tyson has to be in the top 5. Especially since little was heard from Buster after that.
middletree
09-05-2007, 12:13 AM
I definitely don't consider App State/Michigan the biggest ever. Besides the excellent examples already offered of the Olympic hockey and Douglas/Tyson fight, there's the fact that this is a team (Michigan) that hadn't earned its ranking. It was top 5 without having played a game yet, so it was an unknown quantity. If they win out, then we can say this was a huge upset. I bet they don't.
Additionally, this wasn't just any cupcake D-2 team. They were repeat natl champs at their level. I'll bet they could beat 1/4 of the D-1 teams out there, maybe more.
As for the biggest upset ever? I'd say the Bad News Bears in the first movie. ;)
Seriously, it's hard to argue with either the US hockey or Douglas. I remember when both those occurred, and both had one thing in common: every sports fan knew that there was no way anyone was gonna beat USSR or Tyson. They were absolutely unstoppable. I doubt anyone had that thought about Michigan.
jrmitch
09-05-2007, 12:32 AM
First, some questions: what definition of upset applies? Is an upset only considered an upset if whoever pulls off the upset never goes on to accomplish anything else (as in Tyson/Douglas?) Is it still an upset if they've had previous success and/or have future success, but were a heavy underdog in the game/event that they won? How about if they had never been heard of before, but use their upset as a springboard to future success? I think all equally apply; what does everyone else think?
Moving on, I definitely agree about the USA hockey team against the USSR as probably the biggest of all time. A few other notable examples that I've thought of would be:
The Soviet basketball team that stole the Gold Medal from the USA in the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Ali over Sonny Liston in their first fight (no one gave Ali a chance).
The Jets upset of the Colts in Super Bowl III.
Though some may not consider these as upsets, Notre Dame holds the distinction of ending the longest winning streaks in both college football and college basketball. I bet if you'd asked Oklahoma and UCLA if those were upsets they'd probably answer yes....:)
Speaking of the Irish, I'd have to rank their upset over Army in 1913 as a bigger upset than last weeks Michigan game because of the long term impact it had on college football. At the time Notre Dame was just a little school from the stix of Indiana that no one had ever heard of whom the Cadets had brought in to help fill out their home schedule. Army, meanwhile, was one of the strongest teams in the country, and would go on to win the national title the following year. The style of play in that era of football was also exclusively reliant on the running game; though the forward pass was used effectively by a few schools (most notably St. Louis University), it had never been demonstrated as an effective weapon on a national stage. But with quarterback Gus Dorais teaming up with end Knute Rockne - yeah, that Rockne - the Irish bombed the Cadets out of Yankee stadium 35 to 13. That upset instantly made Notre Dame famous and helped open up much of the rest of the college game to the weapon of the forward pass.
River
09-10-2007, 04:16 AM
I definitely don't consider App State/Michigan the biggest ever. Besides the excellent examples already offered of the Olympic hockey and Douglas/Tyson fight, there's the fact that this is a team (Michigan) that hadn't earned its ranking. It was top 5 without having played a game yet, so it was an unknown quantity. If they win out, then we can say this was a huge upset. I bet they don't.
Additionally, this wasn't just any cupcake D-2 team. They were repeat natl champs at their level. I'll bet they could beat 1/4 of the D-1 teams out there, maybe more.
As for the biggest upset ever? I'd say the Bad News Bears in the first movie. ;)
Seriously, it's hard to argue with either the US hockey or Douglas. I remember when both those occurred, and both had one thing in common: every sports fan knew that there was no way anyone was gonna beat USSR or Tyson. They were absolutely unstoppable. I doubt anyone had that thought about Michigan.
In favor of it being the biggest upset ever: The U.S. hockey team and Buster Douglas were in the same pools as their opponents. Buster was a legitimate heavyweight and won fights with others before he met Tyson... ditto U.S. Hockey.
In opposition to it: Michigan got ripped apart by Oregon the next week.
It's starting to look like Michigan shouldn't have been ranked at all. That said, Appalachian State is not even in 1A or whatever they're calling it this year. That's equivalent to Tyson getting beaten by someone out of Golden Gloves, or the USSR losing to an exhibition team I'd say.
But, if Michigan loses a few more games or one more by as much as Oregon whooped them then I'm gonna change my mind.
Jason
09-10-2007, 04:40 AM
USSR vs US was a bunch of professionals vs amateurs.
River
09-10-2007, 05:17 PM
USSR vs US was a bunch of professionals vs amateurs.
What professional league did the USSR hockey team participate in?
The U.S. was expected to finish 3rd or 4th. 3rd or 4th to 1st isn't that large a jump.
I heard this joke today and had to post it...brace yourself...
How many batteries does it take to beat Michigan???
TheBus36(Retired)
09-14-2007, 03:57 PM
What professional league did the USSR hockey team participate in?
The U.S. was expected to finish 3rd or 4th. 3rd or 4th to 1st isn't that large a jump.
The soviet players were professionals, playing (together) for their country for years. Taken in context the United States was not a world power in ice hockey. They were simply a bunch of college kids thrown together playing teams that, on paper, overmatched them.
3d or 4th to 1st was in fact a large jump for this group of youngsters considering who they were playing. The old "KLM" line of Krutov, Larionov and Makarov, and then you throw in, at the time, the best defensemen in the world in Slava Fetisov, and not far behind Alexi Kastonov. If that were not bad enough, how about the best goalie in the world in Tretiak (sp?).
These guys were playing for the Central Red Army team for 10 plus years and had all kinds of hardware, both individually and as a team. It was a huge jump and just as big of an upset. One of miracle proportions as Al Michaels so eloquently pointed out.
TheBus36(Retired)
09-14-2007, 03:59 PM
However, if you live in Pittsburgh I bet you would be inclined to say one of two things: The San Diego Chargers victory in the AFC Championship game in 94, and not as much an upset as gut wrenching; the Atlanta Braves debacle in 93.
Did I mention to anyone that I am also a devout Michigan fan????
;)
sandyandporter
09-14-2007, 04:37 PM
Did I mention to anyone that I am also a devout Michigan fan????
;)
.... as is her sister...... :(
TheBus36(Retired)
09-14-2007, 04:37 PM
Did I mention to anyone that I am also a devout Michigan fan????
;)
Oh, good for you, all the much better. That makes my day. There were no bigger App State and Oregon Duck fans than I over the last two weeks. :D
TheBus36(Retired)
09-14-2007, 04:47 PM
.... as is her sister......I am completely ashamed of her :(
As you should be! :D
I see what you did Robbie...... shame shame on you! ;)
clemsontigers23
09-14-2007, 06:23 PM
Did I mention to anyone that I am also a devout Michigan fan????
;)
Michigan's my 2nd favorite besides Clemson...I actually have a Michigan sweatshirt. I hate seeing them go through this, especially Lloyd Carr...it's not his fault his players won't play up to their ability.
jrmitch
09-14-2007, 07:16 PM
All I know is that Michigan came into South Bend last year and handed the Irish their head. It's payback time, baby.........:mad:
clemsontigers23
09-14-2007, 08:21 PM
All I know is that Michigan came into South Bend last year and handed the Irish their head. It's payback time, baby.........:mad:
I figured you'd be a Colorado fan...I hope they beat the pants off FSU Saturday night.
ZippyApplePants
09-14-2007, 09:27 PM
I figured you'd be a Colorado fan...I hope they beat the pants off FSU Saturday night.
I hope they do too, but I'm not holding my breath.
clemsontigers23
09-14-2007, 09:32 PM
I hope they do too, but I'm not holding my breath.
FSU's horrible...a lot of the ESPN guys have FSU on upset alert against Colorado...they really like the quarterback (Hawkins I think).
ZippyApplePants
09-14-2007, 10:07 PM
FSU's horrible...a lot of the ESPN guys have FSU on upset alert against Colorado...they really like the quarterback (Hawkins I think).
Yup, Cody Hawkins the Coach's son is the QB. Well I hope the ESPN guys are right then. After living here for 24 years, I've learned to be cautiously optimistic when it comes to CU. :)
I heard this joke today and had to post it...brace yourself...
How many batteries does it take to beat Michigan???
One AA
clemsontigers23
09-14-2007, 10:38 PM
Yup, Cody Hawkins the Coach's son is the QB. Well I hope the ESPN guys are right then. After living here for 24 years, I've learned to be cautiously optimistic when it comes to CU. :)
CU's been through a lot, with the rape scandals and all...hopefully this is the year they turn things around. I'm not a Colorado fan but I ain't got nothing against them.
rossid
09-14-2007, 11:22 PM
The local sports guys also wanted to watch that game.
One AA
baawwww whaaaaaaa you're killin me :o
sandyandporter
09-15-2007, 01:55 PM
Originally Posted by Dan!
I heard this joke today and had to post it...brace yourself...
How many batteries does it take to beat Michigan???
One AA
*** looks up address on google, loads car with eggs and follows map quest to meet Dan ***
*** looks up address on google, loads car with eggs and follows map quest to meet Dan ***
rofl.....too funny! pick me up on the way! :D :P :D
iamagomer
09-24-2007, 02:54 PM
Biggest Upset of all time? A tie
David defeats Goliath
Darth Vader over Obiwan Kenobi
danbos
09-25-2007, 11:55 PM
I am also a devout Michigan fan. Didn't see this thread earlier, but I'm a little bit happier Michigan fan now. Anyways, my vote for biggest upset would be the 1980 US Olympic hockey team over the USSR.
lilmikey
09-26-2007, 12:32 AM
the last play of the game when the redskins played the giants sunday. Its a big upset for me because a 3-0 redskins would have been very good because well frankly they have not been very good in recent years
Jason
09-26-2007, 12:39 AM
the last play of the game when the redskins played the giants sunday. Its a big upset for me because a 3-0 redskins would have been very good because well frankly they have not been very good in recent years
A sports upset is one where you don't expect the underdog to win but they do. It's not a game that makes you angry (upset).
Soccer_Hooli
09-26-2007, 12:44 AM
Rulon Gardner over Alexander Karelin @ 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
OnceDead
10-01-2007, 11:22 PM
Forrest Griffin over Shogun Rua by submission at UFC 76
Canesrock82
10-02-2007, 07:41 PM
Miami Hurricanes defeat then #1 Nebraska Cornhuskers for their first NC 1983
Penn state beats then #1 Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta 1986
Ohio State beats then #1 Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta 2002
The losing team in these 3 scenarios were double digit favorites.
rossid
10-06-2007, 10:31 AM
Mario here:
Big upset, but not the biggest, because it's not like Appalachin State is just some mediocre team. They're pretty much the best in the Bowl Runner UP Series or whatever that 1-AA league is called.
rossid
10-06-2007, 11:15 AM
Mario, what are you talking about? The #1 football upsets that the Cane fanatic mentioned? Or the fact that they are trying to run a decent program now. :P
hochspeyer
10-07-2007, 02:05 AM
The Miracle on Ice, probably in anyone's memory on these boards. Prior to that, Jesse Owens performance in the 1936 Olympics.
clemsontigers23
10-07-2007, 02:12 PM
Stanford over #2 USC.
hochspeyer
10-08-2007, 05:52 AM
In the big picture, not a real big thing, but da Bears embarrassed the Pack at Lambeau on Sunday. This makes up for the entire Cubs season.
clemsontigers23
10-08-2007, 05:43 PM
In the big picture, not a real big thing, but da Bears embarrassed the Pack at Lambeau on Sunday. This makes up for the entire Cubs season.
ALMOST makes up for it. ;)
New guy
10-10-2007, 03:18 PM
I can't believe nobody mentioned Boise State Broncos over POWERHOUSE Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl last year...not only a huge upset, probably the most exciting football game ever!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=648765777 3185082222&q=Boise+Fiesta+Bowl&total=198&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
jrmitch
10-14-2007, 09:11 PM
CU's been through a lot, with the rape scandals and all...hopefully this is the year they turn things around. I'm not a Colorado fan but I ain't got nothing against them.Man, until this weekend I've been computerless for about a month, and with working 50 hours a week haven't even had time to get to a library to keep up with y'all. I see I've fallen way behind on this discussion.....:eek:
Anyway, to answer your comments about CU, as I'm not a native of Colorado I've never felt any loyalty to CU (even though their campus is less than 20 miles from my front door). I also worked as an usher at Folsom Field for 4 years and have friends who were players in the program when McCartney was the head coach; those influences helped me learn enough to become completely disgusted with the school. For over 20 years succesive school administrations have turned blind eyes to the ongoing problems that have plagued the CU program and been irresponsible in both responding to issues as they have occured and demanding enough change to clean up the program.
However, they finally seem to be moving in the right direction. Hawkins brought a ton of credibility to Boulder with him, and I think that in due course he'll turn the program around and make it succesful both on and off the field. I just hope that the current campus leadership is as commited to the cause as he seems to be. But I'm not gonna hold my breath. :(
JanetRN
10-14-2007, 11:39 PM
After UK over LSU... I'm thinking the biggest upset of all all time is this
WHOLE COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON!! :eek:
danbos
11-05-2007, 04:51 PM
How about my school(Grand Valley State University), a Division II school, going into East Lansing and beating Michigan State in an exhibition game?
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3092661
clemsontigers23
11-05-2007, 06:22 PM
Going purely by history, Kansas had lost 37 of its last 38 games to Nebraska...they beat them 76-39. That's amazing.
LLcoolChance
11-06-2007, 09:55 PM
Its getting hard to find a game thats NOT an upset
Numbers mean NOTHING this season
NOTHING
and nobody can fully predict a football season
I mean, Its crazy, I give up
the only predictable teams are like...Temple and Rice..[They lose]
danbos
11-06-2007, 11:13 PM
the only predictable teams are like...Temple and Rice..[They lose]
And Notre Dame... :P
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