The only time an underdog was so favored they were unbettable

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2007, the gap between college football tiers was considered a canyon. Michigan, a top-five powerhouse, faced Appalachian State, a smaller FCS program. The mismatch was so extreme that sportsbooks refused to even set a betting line, labeling the Mountaineers as mere "sacrificial lambs.",

The game on September 1, 2007, at Michigan Stadium remains one of the most significant upsets in college football history. At the time, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) were distinct tiers; FBS teams like Michigan were allowed up to 85 scholarship players, while FCS programs like Appalachian State were limited to 63. This structural difference meant that even a mediocre FBS team was expected to have higher visibility and resources than an elite FCS squad.

Despite the disparity, Appalachian State entered as the No. 1 ranked FCS team with a 14-game winning streak. They utilized a no-huddle spread option system to exploit what they identified as a weakness in Michigan's inexperienced secondary. The Mountaineers held a 28–17 lead at halftime before Michigan clawed back to lead 32–31 in the fourth quarter. With only 26 seconds remaining, Appalachian State kicked a short field goal and blocked a potential game-winning attempt by Michigan to secure a 34–32 victory.

The fallout was seismic. Michigan plummeted from the top five of the AP poll entirely—the first time a team had fallen that far in a single game due to an FCS opponent. This result forced the Associated Press to amend its polling policy to include FCS teams. The game also served as the debut for the Big Ten Network, reaching approximately 17 million subscribers, though many local fans were unable to watch due to cable provider restrictions.

The victory was a 'one-shot' opportunity orchestrated by coaches Jerry Moore and Lloyd Carr. While negotiations over payment stalled, Appalachian State eventually settled on $400,000 for the appearance. The game proved that while the money and scholarship caps create a massive divide, tactical preparation can occasionally bridge the gap between two different worlds of sport.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• How an underdog football program rewrote the history of college sports
• The year Michigan became the first Top 5 team to fall out of the AP Poll
• The year college football rankings collapsed into total chaos
• The Wolverines became the only program to beat Alabama twice in one year
• Brazil dominated the 2007 Copa América, but a referee's secret remains.
• Geelong's 119-point demolition broke a 44-year premiership drought
• The 2007 LSU Tigers defied history to become the first two-loss national football champion.
• The 2007 Asian Cup broke the mold for continental football hosting
• A championship decided in a final week of chaos and tragedy
• How a sudden influx of cash transformed Manchester City during the 2007–08 season
• The undefeated season that ended in a single, historic upset
• Henry's Arrival Signaled an Era's End for Barcelona?

More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics