30 most memorable college football games of 2017

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban speaks with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. The Alabama Crimson Tide won the game in overtime 26-23. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban speaks with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. The Alabama Crimson Tide won the game in overtime 26-23. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Caylin Newton #3 of the Howard Bison is tackled after running for a six-yard gain by defensive lineman Mike Hughes Jr. #99 and linebacker Farrell Hester II #53 of the UNLV Rebels during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Howard won 43-40. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Caylin Newton #3 of the Howard Bison is tackled after running for a six-yard gain by defensive lineman Mike Hughes Jr. #99 and linebacker Farrell Hester II #53 of the UNLV Rebels during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Howard won 43-40. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

26. Howard vs. UNLV

  • Date: Sep. 2
  • Outcome: Howard wins 43-40

Most would not expect the biggest upset in college football history, according to Vegas odds, would come from the UNLV Rebels and the Howard Bison (out of the FCS). But, the early season had a ton of confusing results in FCS vs. FBS contests.

The Baylor Bears loss to the Liberty Flames also sticks out as a major upset that few saw coming. With the strong effort from Howard, UNLV made more news in one week than they would most seasons, during a normal college football year.

This was a 48-point swing for the Bison, as UNLV entered as 45-point favorites. Howard quarterback Caylin Newton had what might be the biggest game of his career with nearly 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

UNLV played from behind most of the way, and could not keep the Howard offense from driving on them on nearly every possession. As the only FCS vs. FBS matchup to make this list, Howard vs. UNLV was a truly great one to pay attention to in the early portion of the regular season.