After Ohio State got upset by Michigan, Alabama joined in with a shocking Iron Bowl result vs. Auburn. When was the last time both lost on the same day?
The Saturday slate of rivalry week got started with a massive shocker as the Ohio State Buckeyes, who were 5-0 against rival Michigan since Jim Harbaugh became the head coach, fell in Ann Arbor in convincing fashion to the Wolverines. As it turns out, though, that was just the start of the craziness with the Alabama Crimson Tide heading into the Iron Bowl against Auburn.
Despite the Tigers being down their starting quarterback and sitting at just 6-5 on the season, the Crimson Tide looked lost on the road at Jordan-Hare Stadium, delivering arguably their worst offensive performance of the Nick Saban era. They won in the fourth overtime after coming back in the final minute but it was close to seeing both teams lose on the same day.
In recent history, it’s rare for either Alabama or Ohio State to lose a game individually. So seeing both blue bloods go down in the same day has to be rare. And it begs the question: When was the last time that happened?
When is the last time Alabama and Ohio State lost on the same day?
If you’re thinking that the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes losing on the same day is a rarity, you’re right. That hasn’t happened before Saturday since Nov. 10, 2007 when then-No. 21-ranked Alabama fell to Mississippi State while No. 1-ranked Ohio State was taken down by Illinois.
Alabama and Ohio State haven’t lost on the same day since Nov. 10, 2007: when Mississippi State beat No. 21 Bama and Illinois beat No. 1 OSU
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownCFB) November 27, 2021
Back when it happened in 2007, though, it might’ve been even more shocking than what almost happened on Saturday.
For starters, the two powerhouses were in rivalry games and, in the case of the Buckeyes, they were up against a top-five team. When it happened over 14 years ago, it was just regular conference games and both teams faced unranked opponents.
Still, that doesn’t wholly take away the shock of what fans nearly saw on Saturday.
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.