Top 5 shocking upsets of CFB regular season 2024-25 ft. Alabama vs Vanderbilt

The 2024 college football season has been upsetting. With the new 12-team College Football Playoff format in place, these upsets had even more weight than they normally would. Teams that had a chance to make the playoffs in the new format narrowly missed out because of unforeseen losses.

Top 5 upsets of the 2024 college football season

There are still a few games left to play this season, but none of the results that could happen could result in any upsets as big as these five.

#1 Alabama vs Vanderbilt

The Alabama Crimson Tide have arguably the biggest brand in college football. They are known for competing in national championships every season. This season was not supposed to be any different, especially with the new 12-team playoff format.

It looked like business as usual for the Crimson Tide through the season's first four games as they were undefeated. They had even defeated the Georgia Bulldogs the week before. However, in Week 5, they had a shocking 40–35 loss to Vanderbilt. This loss would send them on a trajectory to miss the playoffs.

#2 Northern Illinois vs Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are one of four teams in the playoff. They have only lost one game this season, but it did not look like they would make a deep run early. In only the second game of the year, the Fighting Irish lost 16-14 to Northern Illinois. It was a massive upset, with people writing off Notre Dame early in the year.

#3 Michigan vs Ohio State

In the last game of the regular season for both teams, Michigan handed Ohio State a stunning loss in the regular season finale. The Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes 13–10, knocking them out of the Big Ten Championship Game. Additionally, it eliminated their chances of getting a bye through the first round of the playoffs.

Most years, this would not have been a big upset. Typically, these are two elite teams, but the Wolverines struggled massively this year. So, to see them had the Buckeyes a consequential loss was surprising.

#4 Miami vs Georgia Tech

The Miami Hurricanes were looking like a dominant force through the first nine games of the season. They were undefeated and looked like a lock to make the Big Ten Championship Game and playoff. However, in Game 10, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets shockingly upset them 28–23.

The Hurricanes would go on to lose another game in the regular season finale, 42–38 to Syracuse. As a result, they would miss the Big Ten Championship Game and playoff.

#5 Alabama vs Oklahoma

Although Alabama was not having a great season, it appeared that the Crimson Tide would narrowly qualify for the playoffs in the season's final weeks. However, in the second last game of the season, the Crimson Tide lost 24–3 to Oklahoma in stunning fashion. It was only the Sooners' sixth win of the year, and Alabama was effectively eliminated from playoff contention.