College FB: The 2007 All-Underdog Team

Appalachian State's Corey Lynch blocked and recovered Michigan's potential game-winning field goal as time expired to start the 2007 college football season with a bang.  (Photo—Troy Tuttle)

Parity—it's the only word to describe the 2007 college football season.

In August, some fans may have made the simple mistake of confusing "parity" with "parody"—you know, the Saturday Night Live kind of parody. 

But not now—not after the craziness we've witnessed.

Some of us have developed a new degree of hatred for the BCS. 

Others have learned the steps to Hawaii's pregame dance ritual.

And a few have finally learned the correct pronunciation of "Appalachian State" ("apple-at-ya" instead of "apple-ate-ya").

But it's safe to say that we've all been taught which is which—"parity" is what we now have in college football, while "parody" is what some YouTube vets are creating as they poke fun at Mike Gundy's tirade.

In any event, we've certainly witnessed history—and it's been a lot of fun to watch.

In fact, there may never be another season quite like 2007.

My "best buddy" Tim Tebow took home the Heisman as a sophomore, an 11-year-old program (USF) climbed to No. 2 in the polls, and a two-loss LSU team is heading to the BCS title game...all for the first time ever.

As it stands, there are 32 games still to be played—and until they start kicking off, we're left to talk about award winners, bowl predictions, and coaching changes.

Oh, and those All-American teams—they're fun too. 

I love these just as much as the next guy, but sometimes I get frustrated for the players who get left out.

What about the guy who came up huge in that monster upset...and what about the guy who ruined the season for his hated rival...and what about the guy who put the final nail in that top-ranked team's coffin?

What about the "big players who make big plays in big games"—where are their names on these All-Whatever teams?

Instead of wondering where they are, I decided to hunt them down.

That's right, I've compiled my All-American team.

Most of these guys aren't the usual NFLers-to-be you'll see listed on the other All-Whatever teams...because these are the guys who beat those future NFL stars.

These are also the guys I'd want on my sideline if my team had a chance to actually play those other All-American teams.

After all, they do know how to pull off the upset.

Without further ado, my 2007 All-Underdog Team... 

QB—Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State 

Edwards totaled 289 total yards and four TDs in the Mountaineers' shocking win over No. 5 Michigan.

RB—Yvenson Bernard, Oregon State

Bernard rushed for 110 yards and two TDs in the Beavers' win over No. 2 Cal.

RB—Tyler Roehl, North Dakota State (FCS) 

In two wins over FBS opponents, Roehl totaled 406 rushing yards and four TDs.

WR—Mark Bradford, Stanford

Bradford hauled in the game-winning TD catch with 49 seconds remaining to beat No. 2 USC.

WR—Donald Bowens, NC State 

In State's 29-24 win over No. 15 Virginia, Bowens amassed 202 yards and two TDs.

WR—Jesse Hester Jr., South Florida 

Hester caught the game-winning TD in overtime to beat No. 17 Auburn 26-23.

Arkansas' Peyton Hillis made plenty of noise in the Razorbacks' upset win over LSU—despite having to share the ball with Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.  (Photo—Wesley Hitt/Arkansas)

TE/WB—Peyton Hillis, Arkansas

Okay, he's listed as a running back. 

And okay, Darren McFadden is crazy-good in that backfield. 

But Hillis "ran wild" on LSU too, rushing for 89 yards and two TDs while adding 62 receiving yards and a pair of TD catches.

OL—Pittsburgh

The entire Panther O-Line deserves credit for manhandling the trenches against No. 2 WVU.

Pitt controlled the ball for over 36 minutes and rushed for 158 yards in a 13-9 victory.

DL—Auburn 

Will Muschamp's crew played a key role in the Tiger's 20-17 victory over No. 4 Florida, forcing two turnovers and holding the Gators to only 111 combined rushing yards. 

LB—Ben Moffitt, South Florida 

Moffitt tallied two interceptions and a touchdown in the Bull's 21-13 win over WVU.

LB—Geno Hayes, FSU 

Hayes' 38-yard interception returned for a touchdown sealed the upset win over No. 2 Boston College.

DB—Antoine Cason, Arizona

Cason returned both an interception and a punt for touchdowns in the Wildcats' 34-24 win over Oregon.

DB—Anthony Johnson, Mississippi State

Johnson's 100-yard interception for a TD demoralized No. 22 Alabama in a 17-12 victory for the Bulldogs.

DB—Robert Johnson, Utah

Johnson's two interceptions and one forced fumble were key in the Utes' 44-6 upset-turned-blowout win over No. 11 UCLA.

DB—Leon Wright, Duke

Wright's 80-yard interception for a TD helped break the nation's longest losing streak in Duke's 20-14 win over Northwestern.

K—Kevin Eberhart, Colorado

Eberhart nailed a career-long, game-winning field goal as time expired to beat Oklahoma 27-24. 

P—Jeremy Ito, Rutgers

Ito was Mr. Everything in the Scarlet Knight's 30-27 win over No. 2 USF.  He punted, kicked off, nailed three field goals, and passed for 36 yards on a key trick play. 

Special Teamer—Corey Lynch, Appalachian State

Lynch blocked and recovered Michigan's potential game-winning field goal as time expired to preserve Appy State's stunning 34-32 upset.

That's it folks—your 2007 All-Underdog Team.  Thanks to these guys, our Fall has been even more exciting than usual.