5 biggest road upsets in modern FBS college football history

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Armanti Edwards #14 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers during the game against Michigan Wolverines September 1, 2007 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Appalachian State defeated Michigan 34-32. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

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MORGANTOWN, WV – DECEMBER 1: Defensive lineman Chris McKillop #41 defends as linebacker Jemeel Brady #24 of the Pittsburgh Panthers forces a fumble by backup quarterback Jarrett Brown #16 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half at Milan Puskar Stadium on December 1, 2007 in Morgantown, West Virginia. Pittsburgh defeated West Virginia 13-9. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. James Madison upsets Virginia Tech, 21-16 (Sept. 11, 2010)

A Virginia Tech team led by now-longtime NFL quarterback Tyrod Taylor came into the 2010 season with a ton of hype and as a Top 10 team in the country. After a season opening loss to Boise State, though, the Hokies were aiming for a bounce-back against an in-state FCS program in James Madison.

But the Dukes proved why they were long an FCS powerhouse competing for national titles (or at least they would be) in this game. Catching VA Tech on a short week and playing on a five-day rest, it looked early like we might see the Hokies pull away as they held a 16-7 lead at one point. JMU had other plans, particularly with quarterback Drew Dudzik at the helm. Accounting for all three touchdowns, including both rushing scores in the second half, he pulled off the impossible.

James Madison was not an FCS power at the time, so this game really helped to put them on the map, all because an in-state ACC foe thought they could sleepwalk to a win.

3. Pitt upsets West Virginia, 13-9 (Dec. 1, 2007)

Now we’re getting into the juicy stuff, this one coming in a matchup between two bitter rivals in the famed Backyard Brawl.

West Virginia was enjoying one of the greatest seasons in program history, coming into the final regular-season game against their rivals with a 10-1 record. Beat Pitt, and the Mountaineers were going to the BCS National Championship Game.

When star quarterback Pat White got banged up, though, things turned on a dime for West Virginia. Pittsburgh’s defense locked up what had been an elite offensive attack all season and, with the help of two missed Mountaineers field goals, the Panthers played spoiler to their rivals’ chances of playing for a natty. And doing it in Morgantown had to make it all too sweet.

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