College Football Delivers Chaos: Florida Upsets No. 9 Ole Miss and More
Few sports can deliver upsets the way college football can. And this past weekend, the chaos was on full display as several ranked teams fell to unranked opponents, shaking up the College Football Playoff picture and leaving fans stunned.
Let’s start with the No. 9-ranked Ole Miss Rebels. Their matchup against the Florida Gators was a must-win to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. But Florida, fresh off a momentum-boosting victory over then-No. 22 LSU, had other plans. The Gators seized control of the game and pulled off a thrilling 24-17 upset in Gainesville.
The game was a nail-biter until the very end. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart had a chance to lead a comeback after an interception was overturned to an incomplete pass. But in a cruel twist of fate, Dart threw a game-sealing interception on his next opportunity, cementing Florida’s victory. This loss effectively knocked the Rebels out of College Football Playoff contention.
According to ESPN Research, this marks the first time since 2003 that Florida has defeated ranked opponents in back-to-back weeks as an unranked team. But believe it or not, this wasn’t even the biggest upset of the day.
Alabama Stunned by Oklahoma
Just hours after Ole Miss fell, another SEC powerhouse, the No. 7-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners. Playing in Norman, Oklahoma, the Tide were dismantled in a 24-3 loss that left fans and analysts alike in disbelief.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had a rough outing, throwing three interceptions. The 21-point margin of defeat was Alabama’s largest loss to an unranked opponent while ranked in the top ten. It was also the biggest deficit the Tide had faced since their 2019 National Championship Game loss to the Clemson Tigers, per ESPN Research.
With Alabama’s loss, three teams in the current College Football Playoff top ten suffered defeats on Saturday, including No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers and No. 9 Ole Miss. The No. 16-ranked Colorado Buffaloes also joined the list of ranked teams falling to unranked opponents, adding to the weekend’s chaos.
Other Notable Upsets This Season
While this weekend was wild, it’s far from the only time this season has delivered jaw-dropping upsets. Here’s a look back at some of the most memorable shockers:
- Nov. 16: Kansas 17, BYU 13 – The No. 6 BYU Cougars fell to the unranked Kansas Jayhawks, who capitalized on a muffed punt to secure the win.
- Nov. 9: Georgia Tech 28, Miami 23 – The No. 4 Miami Hurricanes were stunned by the unranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, who forced a late strip-sack to seal the victory.
- Oct. 5: Vanderbilt 40, Alabama 35 – The No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide were toppled by the unranked Vanderbilt Commodores, who never let Alabama find their rhythm.
These games are a reminder of why college football is so beloved. The unpredictability, the drama, and the sheer excitement of watching underdogs rise to the occasion make every Saturday a must-watch event.
What’s Next?
As the season heads into its final stretch, the stakes are higher than ever. With the College Football Playoff picture in flux, every game matters. Will more top teams fall victim to the chaos? Or will the favorites reassert their dominance? One thing’s for sure: college football fans are in for a wild ride.
Stay tuned as we continue to track all the major upsets and storylines from this unforgettable season.
Originally Written by: Unknown
