Don't Like the Upsets? Blame Boise State

Boise State beat Oklahoma 43-42. Appalachian State beat Michigan 34-32. South Florida beat Auburn 26-23. Wisconsin beat UNLV 20-13. 

Okay, so Wisconsin's win doesn't exactly fit the mold of the previous three—but why not? 

The Badgers pulled off a come-from-behind win on the road. Tyler Donovan scored the Badger's final touchdown with just 1:53 on the clock. That's a great victory isn't it? 

Every player dreams about winning the close game for his teammates and coaches. He dreams about arriving at the airport to be greeted by thousands of screaming fans—who may, if he's lucky, pick him up on their shoulders and carry him home. 

You know...the rockstar treatment. 

I highly doubt that scenario played out when Donovan's Badgers arrived in Madison.  Badger fans were probably still catching their breath after holding it for the majority of the UNLV game. Some were probably quite upset. 

And can you blame them? 

Their Badgers were ranked fifth in the polls. UNLV wasn't even close to cracking the top 25. The fans back in Madison expected a blowout, not even allowing the thought of an "upset" to enter their minds.  

I say we should stop using the word "upset" so lightly.  

Appalachian State's win was truly an upset. South Florida's win over Auburn, by contrast, was merely unlikely. 

The modern college game is so full of parity that the very idea of an "upset" has lost much of its meaning. And for that, I blame Boise State and ESPN. 

Everyone knows the story of the Broncos beating the Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl. Smart underdog coaches should just pop in ESPN's documentary of the Broncos' 2006 season for their pregame pep talks. 

Out of the Blue: A Film About Life and Football at Boise State sells for $12.88 on Amazon.com. That's a pretty cheap price to fire up your team before they face a college football giant. 

I'm not suggesting that watching the DVD guarantees a win—I'm just saying that providing a constant reminder that the impossible can become possible is a very powerful motivational tool. 

So, blame Boise, Michigan fans. Blame Boise, Auburn fans. Blame them all you want. They're the ones who gave the underdogs reason for hope. 

I for one like the parity, and I'll be watching every game for the rest of the year—waiting for more "upsets." 

Keep watching that DVD, underdogs, and keep right on winning...as long as you aren't playing my favorite team.