College Football: Ranking the Wins by Non-Power 5 Teams Over Powers in Week One

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Week One of the college football season has seen the non-power 5 teams make a stand against the powers of college football.

There were multiple teams from the group of five and even the FCS level that took down teams from the mighty conferences of college football. The parity of college football was certainly on display this opening weekend.

There were even multiple real close calls. Appalachian State took Tennessee to the ultimate brink as the Volunteers needed a fluke fumble recovery in their end-zone for a touchdown to hold off the upset-minded Mountaineers 20-13 in overtime. That certainly would have sent shock waves across the nation.

Big 12 top contender TCU had their hands full with FCS opponent South Dakota State. The game was tied 24-24 at the half and the Horned Frogs needed a 35-17 run in the second half to pull away 59-41. Just another example of parity.

Arkansas was next on upset alert by a little guy. They barely held off Louisiana Tech 21-20 in their season opener. Not every team was lucky though. Many power five teams failed to hold off the “mid-majors.”

Southern Miss used 34 unanswered points to take down SEC member Kentucky 44-35 in Lexington. The Golden Eagles have cemented themselves as a favorite in Conference USA. Joining Kentucky was Northwestern who lost a heart-breaker to Western Michigan. Northwestern was knocked off 22-21 at home by the MAC school.

Virginia and Iowa State found a way to outdo them, though. Virginia lost pretty handily to FCS team Richmond. The Spiders took down the ACC school 37-20 on the road. Not a good start to the Bronco Mendenhall era. Meanwhile, Iowa State was also busy losing to an FCS team. Northern Iowa took down the Big 12 school 25-20 on the road.

There were however, three wins by non-power five teams that stuck out above the rest. These wins were shocking, they were impressive and they came out of nowhere.

Sep 3, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Eastern Washington Eagles quarterback Gage Gubrud (8) celebrates a touchdown against the against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Eagles won 45-42. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

3. Eastern Washington Over Washington State

FCS Eastern Washington took down the Washington State Cougars 45-42. This was the second straight season that Washington State lost its opener to an FCS team. After rebounding nicely last season and having one of their better seasons in awhile, it looked like Washington State could be a top under the radar team this season.

Well, 606 yards allowed later, they are 0-1. The defense continues to be a problem for Mike Leach coached teams. QB Luke Falk wasn’t the problem as he threw for 418 yards and four scores.

However, EWU quarterback Gage Gubrud tossed for 475 yards and five touchdowns. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp was not to be outdone. He hauled in 12 catches for a whopping 206 yards and three scores. Eastern Washington could be an FCS force this season, Washington State needs to rebound just like season.

They could still have a successful 9 plus win season if they can regroup. But, it’s an extremely disappointing loss to get the campaign going, one that they thought could be one of the schools best.

Sep 3, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; South Alabama Jaguars safety Devon Earl (7) celebrates after the Mississippi State Bulldogs missed a field goal in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium. South Alabama won 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

2.) South Alabama Over Mississippi State

The field goal attempt clanked off the upright and sent the South Alabama sideline into a frenzy. The near brand new FBS school had just taken down SEC power Mississippi State on the road 21-20.

The Sun Belt conference team didn’t even exist until 2009. In 2013, they gained FBS eligibility, so surely they can be considered a young program. It was by far the biggest win in the history of the school. Prior to Saturday’s upset, they were 0-4 all time against SEC teams. They were 0-2 against Miss. St after getting blown out in both 2012 and 2014.

The only coach the school has known is Joey Jones and he has set the little team from Mobile up for a nice season. QB Dallas Davis, a redshirt freshman, went into Starkville and threw for 285 yards and two scores while not throwing an interception.

Davis drove them down the field and hit Gerald Everett in for the winning score with 1:03 to go. It was quite the drive by the freshman. This was certainly a win that came out of nowhere and shocked everyone. Anytime and SEC school gets taken down by a group of five school, it’s big. This was one heck of an impressive win for South Alabama.

Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars defensive end Nick Thurman (91) and teammates celebrate the win over the Oklahoma Sooners at NRG Stadium. Houston Cougars won 33 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

1.) Houston Over Oklahoma

Looking at their play on Saturday and the size and athleticism of their players, it’s hard to consider Houston a mid-major. However, as a member of the AAC, they stand below the big boys of the sport.

They were 13.5 point underdogs, so Vegas certainly considered them as not worthy of competing with the big boys of the power five. Oklahoma came in as the number three ranked team and a popular playoff pick. Houston took it to them 33-23 and made Oklahoma look like the underdog.

A lot of people thought Houston was the best group of five team but not many people thought they were at the same level as the Sooners. Now, the yearlong debate about Houston crashing the playoffs will commence. It was a seismic win.

Greg Ward Jr. threw for 321 yards and two scores and showed his major improvement as a passer. Houston’s defense held their own against a strong Oklahoma offense which helped shape the path for the win.

Houston may not be as small as a program as Eastern Washington or South Alabama, but their win was way more important to the shape of the 2016 college football landscape and capped off a heck of a weekend for the little guys.