The Five Biggest Sports Upsets of the Decade

With the recent stunning loss of Rafael Nadal to Robin Soldering of Sweden in the French Open, I began to think about some of the five greatest upsets in sports in the last 10 years. As the decade draws to a close, there's still time for other major upsets to occur, but it's going to be tough to beat these.

1) Rulon Gardner defeats Alexander Karelin (2000 Syndey Olympics)

Sept. 24, 2000

This was as epic an upset as it comes. Alexander Karelin of Russia never lost an international wrestling match in 13 years. He had not even given up a point the previous six years.

At the 2000 Olympics Rulon Gardner of the United States was an enormous underdog to Karelin. He defeated the mighty Russian nicknamed the Siberian Bear 1-0. Thirteen years without losing...think about that for minute...

2) Appalachian St. Mountaineers 34 Michigan Wolverines 32

Sept. 1, 2007

An upset that shook the college football world, the Michigan Wolverines came in ranked No. 5 in the country. They had hopes of a Big Ten Championship and possible National Championship.

The little school from Boone, NC pulled off one of the greatest upsets ever. The two-time defending national champions from the former Division I-AA, were up 28-14 late in the second quarter, and entering the fourth quarter were still up 31-26.

When Mike Hart scored on 54 yard run with 4:36 left, it looked like the dream was over for the Mountaineers. The Mountaineers weren't done, though, they kicked a FG with 1:11 to go ahead 34-32.

The part that still amazes me to this day is the Wolverines drove to the App. St. 20, and had the FG blocked with six seconds remaining to preserve the great upset.

3) New York Giants 17 New England Patriots 14

Feb. 3, 2008

The New England Patriots were on the verge of becoming the greatest team in NFL History. At 18-0 the Patriots were already one of the finest NFL teams ever. One more win would solidify their place in history. The New York Giants had other ideas.

After the Patriots went up 14-10, there was little more than two-and-a-half minutes for the Giants to get down the field and win the game. During this drive, one the most spectacular plays in Super Bowl History occurred.

Eli Manning scrambled out of a certain sack, and threw a pass that was completed with an unbelievable leaping grab by David Tyree. The Giants continued their march down the field, and Manning threw the winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds left to Plaxico Burress.

4) Robin Soderling defeats Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6

May 31, 2009

This upset was huge. Rafael Nadal owned the French Open. He had never lost at Roland Garros, ever. He was 31-0 there. He was the Four-Time Defending Champion, and ranked No. 1 in the world. Twenty-four year old, Swede Robin Soderling, had never been past the third round of any of his previous Grand Slam appearances, but wasn't intimidated.

Using a powerful forehand, Soderling hit 61 winners, and kept Nadal on the run throughout. Knowing that Nadal had also won all of his previous 48 clay court five setters, only adds to the enormity of the upset.

5) George Mason Patriots 86 Connecticut Huskies 84

Mar. 26, 2006

The fact that an 11 seed in the NCAA Basketball tournament beat a 1 seed is a big upset. What made this upset one the greatest of the decade is what was at stake. It was a birth in the Final Four.

To get there the Patriots defeated three Hall of Fame coaches, Tom Izzo of Michigan St, Roy Williams of North Carolina, and Jim Calhoun of Connecticut. The more athletic and bigger Huskies couldn't contain the balanced attacked of George Mason.

All five starters for the Patriots scored in double figures led by Jai Lewis who had 20. For the first time since 1979, a mid major crashed the final four. Cinderella was alive and well in the 2006 NCAA tournament.

Other Notable Upsets in the decade.

Fresno St Bulldogs wins 2008 College World Series: They were the First No. 4 Regional seed to ever win the College World Series.

Boise St. Broncos defeats Oklahoma Soooners 43-42 in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl: Not only a big upset, but maybe the best college football game of the decade.

Stanford Cardinals defeat USC Trojans 24-23: On Oct. 6, 2007 the Stanford Cardinals were 41-point, underdogs. They snapped USC's 35 game home winning streak.

Netherlands beat Dominican Republic twice at 2009 World Baseball Classic: The Dominican Republic was made up of several major leaguers, including David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, Miguel Tejada, and Pedro Martinez.

New England Patriots defeat St. Louis Rams 20-17 at Super Bowl XXXVI: The Patriots entered the game as two-touchdown underdogs in the 2002 Super Bowl.