1. UNLV over Wisconsin 23-5
If not for this home loss, Wisconsin would be in the Top 5. The thing is, this wasn’t close. UNLV dominated the Badgers, holding them to 52 rushing yards. That’s a Badgers team averaging 210.9 rushing yards per game, which is 10th in the nation.
2. Northern Illinois over Alabama 19-16
First Northern Illinois beat Maryland in overtime in the season opener. But that was in DeKalb. The Sept. 20 win over the Crimson Tide came in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in front of 83,018 rabid fans. NIU had two blocks, including a PAT attempt that was returned by Kevin Woods for two points.
3. La. Tech over Mich. State 20-19
The Bulldogs scored twice in the final 1 minute 5 seconds to stun the Spartans at home. That’s Michigan State’s only loss, and it came to a team that will finish in the middle of the pack in the Western Athletic Conference.
4. Nevada over Washington 28-17
This isn’t a vintage Huskies team. The Rick Neuheisel brouhaha definitely has had a carryover effect, and the defense has had trouble against legit offenses. Still, the Huskies shouldn’t have lost at home to the Wolf Pack, another WAC team.
5. California over USC 34-31
While the result was surprising, the way the Golden Bears won was truly surprising. Cal ran roughshod over the Trojans’ vaunted defense, rolling up 469 total yards, including 143 on the ground. The loss in triple overtime could end up keeping the Trojans out of the national title game.
6. Georgia Tech over Auburn 17-3
This was Game 2 of Auburn’s season-opening swoon. Tech is an OK team, but when all is said and done, Auburn is going to look back on this one and wince. A loss to Southern Cal to open the season was somewhat understandable. This one isn’t.
