The Biggest Upset in College Football History: Not Appalachian State-Michigan

...at least by one metric. Which is the metric we should definitely use because it exonerates Michigan. And by "exonerates" I mean "doesn't really exonerate at all."

In the aftermath of that whole Appalachian State thing -- I think Michigan might have lost or something -- many called the upset the greatest of all time. It may well be by certain definitions: Michigan is the only ranked team to ever drop a game to a I-AA foe and the first top 5 team to drop out of the top 25 entirely after an opening week loss. By any definition of the term "good," Appalachian State was not good. But the Apps were only a 22-23 point underdog, depending on who you listen to.

Syracuse, on the other hand...

The Orange was a 37-point underdog to the Cards, according to oddsmakers.

This would appear to be the biggest spread overcome in the history of college football. Other contenders:

In 1998, an 0-5 Temple team beat 5-0 Virginia Tech 28-24 as a 36-point underdog. That game is usually cited as the biggest upset of the past 10 years, point-spread wise.

A 1985 game in which Oregon State beat Washington 21-20 is often considered the largest point-spread upset. Oregon State was anywhere from a 36 to a 38-point 'dog, depending on which line you use.

So, all right! Michigan blowing it against Appalachian State isn't even within two touchdowns of the biggest upset ever! This makes me feel much, much better about everything! I am not lying about this in any way!