View Full Version : Greatest Upsets In Sports History
Recovery Room
02/01/10, 08:48 AM
The Outside The Lines segment on the 20th anniversary of the Mike Tyson/Buster Douglas fight got me thinking about this.
Post 'em.
I'll get it out of the way now.
PcX5WRnbZg8
xbrokendownx
02/01/10, 08:53 AM
http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/multimedia/photo_gallery/0903/cbk.march.madness.cindarella.teams/images/ed-pinckney-villanova.jpg
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 09:41 AM
http://zenstorming.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/miracle_on_ice.jpg
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0106/nfl_g_nameth_576.jpg
http://lowposts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mutumbo_denver.jpg
xbrokendownx
02/01/10, 09:42 AM
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0309/ncb_g_george_mason1_576.jpg
greenteaallday
02/01/10, 10:05 AM
The Outside The Lines segment on the 20th anniversary of the Mike Tyson/Buster Douglas fight got me thinking about this.
Post 'em.
I'll get it out of the way now.
PcX5WRnbZg8
This.
IAmNietzche
02/01/10, 10:09 AM
The Outside The Lines segment on the 20th anniversary of the Mike Tyson/Buster Douglas fight got me thinking about this.
Post 'em.
I'll get it out of the way now.
PcX5WRnbZg8
Of all time? No way.
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 10:11 AM
where did he ever say it was the greatest upset of all time?
achassi
02/01/10, 10:19 AM
Douglas/ Tyson has to be it. No one gave James a chance
S9Dallasoz
02/01/10, 10:42 AM
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0309/ncb_g_george_mason1_576.jpg
Probably my favorite.
Gotta go 1980 Olympics. The implications on both the sporting world and political arena were unlike anything we've seen since
atarirockstar
02/01/10, 11:11 AM
http://jumping-exercises.com/hp_wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/spud-webb1.jpg
not the best. but it's the best I can think of that's not already listed.
ericsrad
02/01/10, 11:14 AM
This is unreal.
ZHkABO0VwCg
SockMonkeyRiot
02/01/10, 11:22 AM
uOj0zjPzg-c
Uconn over Duke in the 1999 Basketball championship was a pretty big upset.
but I think the best answer is Rulon Gardner beating Alexander Karelin in Greco-Roman Wresting at the 2000 Olympics
only the clouds
02/01/10, 11:23 AM
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0106/nfl_g_nameth_576.jpg
Classic.
Scrandon
02/01/10, 11:32 AM
Of all time? No way.
well they were undefeated and winning with 35 seconds in the 4th.
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 11:36 AM
uOj0zjPzg-c
Uconn over Duke in the 1999 Basketball championship was a pretty big upset.
but I think the best answer is Rulon Gardner beating Alexander Karelin in Greco-Roman Wresting at the 2000 Olympics
how is that a big upset? uconn was a 1 seed and 34-2 that year
Recovery Room
02/01/10, 11:40 AM
Of all time? No way.
Haha, no, I meant just so people wouldn't use that easy, obvious one.
Recovery Room
02/01/10, 11:42 AM
Douglas/ Tyson has to be it. No one gave James a chance
That's what I tend to lean to.
Probably my favorite.
Same here.
The Tavita Pritchard-led Stanford Cardinal over USC a few years ago is an underrated all-time upset. Pretty sure the line for that game was up in the 40s.
donwagenblast
02/01/10, 11:52 AM
When the Red Sox came from down 3-0 to beat the Yankees in the ALCS and then win the World Series.
xbrokendownx
02/01/10, 11:53 AM
When the Red Sox came from down 3-0 to beat the Yankees in the ALCS and then win the World Series.
thats not an upset, its a choke job
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 11:53 AM
The Tavita Pritchard-led Stanford Cardinal over USC a few years ago is an underrated all-time upset. Pretty sure the line for that game was up in the 40s.
SC was 41 point favorites
relaxrelapse830
02/01/10, 11:56 AM
The men's 4x100 free relay at the 2008 Olympics, when Jason Lezak kicked France's ass.
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 11:58 AM
http://www.footballpictures.net/data/media/159/Euro-2004-Greece.jpg
Greece had 150-1 odds to win the Euro Cup in 2004
how is that a big upset? uconn was a 1 seed and 34-2 that year
You don't remember the atmosphere surrounding the lead up to that game then. That Duke team was being hailed as one of the greatest teams of all time(they hadn't lost a game since the Great Alaska Shootout in November) and were pretty much being annointed before the tournament began. UConn entered the game as 9 or 10 point underdogs if I remember right.
donwagenblast
02/01/10, 12:02 PM
thats not an upset, its a choke job
Even as a Yankees fan I have to call that an upset because no one had ever done it before.
TheHays
02/01/10, 12:03 PM
This is unreal.
ZHkABO0VwCg
that is fucking insane! i remember watching this before and i still can't believe it went down that way
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 12:04 PM
Even as a Yankees fan I have to call that an upset because no one had ever done it before.
Still doesn't make it an upset.
An upset is when an underdog defeats a favorite and in the case of this thread when a heavy underdog defeats a heavy favorite
The Yankees were a mere 3 games better than the Sox that year.
It was a choke job, not an upset.
donwagenblast
02/01/10, 12:05 PM
http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0378/9567/116199_feature.jpg
donwagenblast
02/01/10, 12:05 PM
Still doesn't make it an upset.
An upset is when an underdog defeats a favorite and in the case of this thread when a heavy underdog defeats a heavy favorite
The Yankees were a mere 3 games better than the Sox that year.
It was a choke job, not an upset.
Fair enough.
TheHays
02/01/10, 12:07 PM
szF89IuAyeI&feature=related
reppin for the home-state hard!
This is unreal.
ZHkABO0VwCg
I'm not sure what was more satisfying, the touchdown, or having the "announcers" shut the hell up.
z3sy0oHP3LI&feature=related
This year everyone was in love with Rose and the talent of Memphis... But, being from Kansas - this was the greatest.
xbrokendownx
02/01/10, 12:31 PM
Kansas over Memphis was NOT an upset.
some of you people don't understand this concept very well
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 12:31 PM
kansas over memphis was not an upset and the title of the thread is GREATEST UPSETS IN SPORTS HISTORY
memphis was a mere 1.5 point favorite
S9Dallasoz
02/01/10, 12:34 PM
The Tavita Pritchard-led Stanford Cardinal over USC a few years ago is an underrated all-time upset. Pretty sure the line for that game was up in the 40s.
& that was a BAD Stanford team...
Also how awesome was Appalachian State over Michigan?
owiseone35
02/01/10, 12:36 PM
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0309/ncb_g_george_mason1_576.jpg
Ha Ha nice. I was going to put this, the little commuter college that could. They beat UNC and UCONN. The School is literally 10 minutes from my house people were going crazy when this happened.
Jason Tate
02/01/10, 12:39 PM
Great Finishes/Close games =/= upset.
oliviaemmer
02/01/10, 12:41 PM
Not a huge one for most people but in michigan, when Michigan lost to Appalachian State, that was a big deal.
oliviaemmer
02/01/10, 12:42 PM
szF89IuAyeI&feature=related
reppin for the home-state hard!
Lol i posted this not realizing you did.
Scott Weber
02/01/10, 12:44 PM
http://sportsratings.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54eea8bf288340120a5839f41970b-pi
:-p kidding.
ThePartialGlow
02/01/10, 12:52 PM
This is unreal.
ZHkABO0VwCg
Haha, I went to Plano East. I remember hearing about that game still when we got there years later.
I thought I'd throw this one out there too:
FWFbGw-jZvc
mgrogan048
02/01/10, 12:54 PM
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2002/Nov/14/sports12_b.jpg
Chaminade beats then #1 Virginia
- NC State over Houston
- Golden State sweeps Washington Bullets
xbrokendownx
02/01/10, 12:56 PM
i honestly think that the 1980 Hockey team and 1985 Nova over Georgetown are the 2 biggest
donwagenblast
02/01/10, 01:05 PM
8-Seed Golden State Beats 1-Seed Dallas in Round 1 of the NBA playoffs
being a ducks fan this is my personal favorite...
2CwnYJGOvJQ
sleepyseanzzz
02/01/10, 01:13 PM
Even as a Yankees fan I have to call that an upset because no one had ever done it before.
when a team has more playoff wins than the next closest team has total playoff games played (including both wins and losses) then they are bound to drop 3 in a row eventually
DryEarth
02/01/10, 01:17 PM
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2002/Nov/14/sports12_b.jpg
Chaminade beats then #1 Virginia
Being a student at UVA, I hate admitting this, but this has to be up there. Who the hell is Chaminade, just some tiny school in Hawaii.
Kansas over Memphis was NOT an upset.
some of you people don't understand this concept very well
kansas over memphis was not an upset and the title of the thread is GREATEST UPSETS IN SPORTS HISTORY
memphis was a mere 1.5 point favorite
I know, but I just love that Chalmers 3.
Continue on your way.
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 01:25 PM
And I love Robert Horry hitting buzzer beaters in the NBA playoffs for the Lakers...doesn't make it an upset
1980 olympics us beats ussr
chaminade beats #1virginia
aoftbsten
02/01/10, 02:21 PM
Happy Gilmore vs. Shooter McGavin
And Hours Pass
02/01/10, 03:05 PM
Happy Gilmore vs. Shooter McGavin
Amen brotha.
InvisibleImage
02/01/10, 03:10 PM
http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0378/9567/116199_feature.jpg
no.
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 03:16 PM
yes
the rams were favored by two touchdowns
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 03:20 PM
You don't remember the atmosphere surrounding the lead up to that game then. That Duke team was being hailed as one of the greatest teams of all time(they hadn't lost a game since the Great Alaska Shootout in November) and were pretty much being annointed before the tournament began. UConn entered the game as 9 or 10 point underdogs if I remember right.
Spread was 9.5.
I guess I underestimated that Duke team
Happy Gilmore vs. Shooter McGavin
Ha. I was thinking either this one or when the Mighty Ducks beat the Hawks.
This is unreal.
ZHkABO0VwCg
TJT's win wasn't an upset.
phillipjacob
02/01/10, 04:22 PM
that bryce drew three pointer in the ncaa tourney in the late 90's
Drew Beringer
02/01/10, 04:30 PM
Broncos beating the Packers in Super Bowl XXXII was a pretty big upset too, but it sucked
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 04:37 PM
Broncos beating the Packers in Super Bowl XXXII was a pretty big upset too, but it sucked
fifth biggest upset in super history based on spread
packers were 11 point favorites
Drew Beringer
02/01/10, 04:37 PM
fifth biggest upset in super history based on spread
packers were 11 point favorites
don't remind me. 12 year old Drew cried himself to sleep that night haha
LastPlaceRocks
02/01/10, 04:45 PM
X1_x1oo35L0
aj4mizzou
02/01/10, 05:38 PM
growing up a mizzou fan and being a student there now, these always make me smile.
mn0n79N2oJ4
aaaaaaaand the next year...
MlnzietDLVM
growing up a mizzou fan and being a student there now, these always make me smile.
mn0n79N2oJ4
aaaaaaaand the next year...
MlnzietDLVM
You stop. NOW!!!
preppyak
02/01/10, 06:17 PM
growing up a mizzou fan and being a student there now, these always make me smile.
aaaaaaaand the next year...
The Bradley one was excusable, they were a team of mostly freshmen...the Bucknell one was just wrong...I remember drinking my sorrows away on that one my freshmen year of college
donwagenblast
02/01/10, 06:28 PM
The Bradley one was excusable, they were a team of mostly freshmen...the Bucknell one was just wrong...I remember drinking my sorrows away on that one my freshmen year of college
I picked Kansas to win it all that year.
cory-182
02/01/10, 06:42 PM
Little Giants defeating the Cowboys in 1994.
Illadelphia
02/01/10, 07:44 PM
The Bradley one was excusable, they were a team of mostly freshmen...the Bucknell one was just wrong...I remember drinking my sorrows away on that one my freshmen year of college
I was so sure Simien's jumper was going in at the buzzer, was that his last game as a Jayhawk? That'd be a terrible way to go out.
Illadelphia
02/01/10, 08:03 PM
1950 World Cup USA beating England, the "miracle on grass"
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/18/article-0-003C433700000258-925_306x325.jpg
Buscemi Knows Best
02/01/10, 08:27 PM
The men's 4x100 free relay at the 2008 Olympics, when Jason Lezak kicked France's ass.
that was the greatest swimming race i've ever seen in my life, not sure it qualifies as an upset because it was slated to be so damn close. but still a huge memorable race. but in the same american spirit i have to agree with most people and say the us win over ussr in the lake placid games semifinals is the best upset of all time
davehennessy
02/01/10, 08:42 PM
This is unreal.
ZHkABO0VwCg
This is COMPLETELY ridiculous! Great video.. I had never seen it before but wow that's incredible, definitely heartbreaking at the end though haha.
But as a Bostonian, this is easily my pick.. we all know the story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD1X5Gw8zZA
xbrokendownx
02/01/10, 08:45 PM
people really don't understand what upsets are, do they?
LastPlaceRocks
02/01/10, 08:56 PM
people really don't understand what upsets are, do they?
I'm starting to think that they don't.
Upset:
K6OgbCP6EzUK6OgbCP6EzU
Not an upset:
s8zZRBTOcnY
Upset:
Man O' War losing to some horse with a strange name and 100-to-1 odds
Not an upset:
Yankees/Red Sox 2003-2004
Illadelphia
02/01/10, 08:58 PM
The 2004 ALCS was great, but not an upset.
bhs1158
02/01/10, 08:59 PM
Ex-U50tT4aI
aj4mizzou
02/01/10, 09:02 PM
You stop. NOW!!!
lol, i saw that memphis clip and saw you were from o.p., i had to do it. a lot of people i know are kansas fans so i've learned to keep it to myself when we beat em. it's been rough being a mizzou b-ball fan, better yet a fan of any sports team in KC.
davehennessy
02/01/10, 09:04 PM
The 2004 ALCS was great, but not an upset.
How was that not an upset? Down three games and win four in a row to win the ALCS.. that's an upset haha
xbrokendownx
02/01/10, 09:06 PM
no, it isnt, its winning 4 games in a row against a team very similar to yours.
LastPlaceRocks
02/01/10, 09:08 PM
How was that not an upset? Down three games and win four in a row to win the ALCS.. that's an upset haha
That's a comeback.
davehennessy
02/01/10, 09:09 PM
Yes it was a comeback, but at that point in a series, when a team is down 3-0 and facing elimination, it's also considered an upset
xbrokendownx
02/01/10, 09:12 PM
no, its really not
davehennessy
02/01/10, 09:20 PM
what I'm saying is that in a 7 game series, when a team is down 3 games to none, it takes an incredible effort for a team to mentally overcome their situation and comeback to win 4 games in a row. yes, both teams may have been mostly evenly matched, but when boston was down 3 games to nothing there was a mental factor introduced that gave new york the upper hand. that's what i'm trying to say
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 09:21 PM
Yes it was a comeback, but at that point in a series, when a team is down 3-0 and facing elimination, it's also considered an upset
an upset is when a heavy favorite is taken down by a heavy underdog
the yanks only won 3 more games than the sox that year
it's just a comeback not an upset
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 09:23 PM
what I'm saying is that in a 7 game series, when a team is down 3 games to none, it takes an incredible effort for a team to mentally overcome their situation and comeback to win 4 games in a row. yes, both teams may have been mostly evenly matched, but when boston was down 3 games to nothing there was a mental factor introduced that gave new york the upper hand. that's what i'm trying to say
nothing in what you just said suggests an upset. merely just a comeback.
being an underdog has nothing to do with a mental factor as much as it has to do with talent and ability
LastPlaceRocks
02/01/10, 09:26 PM
what I'm saying is that in a 7 game series, when a team is down 3 games to none, it takes an incredible effort for a team to mentally overcome their situation and comeback to win 4 games in a row. yes, both teams may have been mostly evenly matched, but when boston was down 3 games to nothing there was a mental factor introduced that gave new york the upper hand. that's what i'm trying to say
I know what you're saying but like Ryan said, it's a great comeback (and would be on the list of greatest comebacks ever if someone made that thread) but that doesn't make it an upset.
davehennessy
02/01/10, 09:30 PM
nothing in what you just said suggests an upset. merely just a comeback.
being an underdog has nothing to do with a mental factor as much as it has to do with talent and ability
true to an extent, but the mentality of a situation has a lot to do with making an underdog and underdog. I guess i'll agree to disagree
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 09:31 PM
true to an extent, but the mentality of a situation has a lot to do with making an underdog and underdog. I guess i'll agree to disagree
the way i look at it is if if the lakers are down 3-0 in a series against the grizzlies and comeback to win the series in 7 games...is that an upset?
davehennessy
02/01/10, 09:37 PM
the way i look at it is if if the lakers are down 3-0 in a series against the grizzlies and comeback to win the series in 7 games...is that an upset?
well it's easy to say the lakers are better than the grizzlies (mostly because they are), but in that situation the grizzlies would have obviously had to play better than LA to go up 3-0. if the lakers came back with 4 straight wins I would consider that an upset. I completely see your point by the way, I just feel like the situation of a game or series is more determining of who's considered more likely to win.. I guess that makes me sound like I don't believe in underdogs haha, but you see what I'm trying to say?
guccimaneburrrr
02/01/10, 09:39 PM
you're looking at it as a team down 0-3 coming back to win a series and i'm looking at it as a better team winning the series regardless of series deficit.
just a difference of views.
davehennessy
02/01/10, 09:42 PM
you're looking at it as a team down 0-3 coming back to win a series and i'm looking at it as a better team winning the series regardless of series deficit.
just a difference of views.
I guess so.. as long as you're not a yankees fan haha
JTrain12
02/01/10, 11:11 PM
Miracle on Ice, simple enough
JTrain12
02/01/10, 11:13 PM
Little Giants defeating the Cowboys in 1994.
hahah, clearly intimidation was a factor!
the 04 alcs is not an upset
lol, i saw that memphis clip and saw you were from o.p., i had to do it. a lot of people i know are kansas fans so i've learned to keep it to myself when we beat em. it's been rough being a mizzou b-ball fan, better yet a fan of any sports team in KC.
Tell me about it.
donwagenblast
02/02/10, 10:51 AM
Billy Jean King over Bobby Riggs.
relaxrelapse830
02/02/10, 01:21 PM
that was the greatest swimming race i've ever seen in my life, not sure it qualifies as an upset because it was slated to be so damn close. but still a huge memorable race. but in the same american spirit i have to agree with most people and say the us win over ussr in the lake placid games semifinals is the best upset of all time
Yeah, I guess it might not really be an upset. But it was pretty awesome.
Gotta go 1980 Olympics. The implications on both the sporting world and political arena were unlike anything we've seen since
yeah, that's pretty way all the way up there.
guccimaneburrrr
02/02/10, 03:41 PM
Not an upset:
s8zZRBTOcnY
i'd actually consider that an upset
former national champs playing in their home city as an 8 point favorite
not one of the greatest upsets in sports history but still an upset
LastPlaceRocks
02/02/10, 04:48 PM
I'm just going with the "not the greatest upset in sports history" given the build up to the game was the two best teams in the nation (the actual two best teams, not one of those BCS controversies) playing one another. It's not a horse with 100-to-1 odds winning, it's not a team full of college players beating a team of Russian all-stars (twice in two different Olympics) and it's not the number fifteen seed shocking the number two seed in OT. Just the number two team, which many people thought could win, beating the number one team in an exciting finish.
schenksta
02/02/10, 10:06 PM
but I think the best answer is Rulon Gardner beating Alexander Karelin in Greco-Roman Wresting at the 2000 Olympics
You would be correct
open mind
02/03/10, 09:21 PM
ali vs. foreman
Killadelphia
02/12/10, 04:35 AM
nova over gtown, app st. over michigan, pats over rams, jets over balt colts, miracles on ice
Huge media upset: Boise State over Oklahoma with Statue of Liberty.
...Ducks over Hawks.
fightinirish217
02/12/10, 04:49 AM
This is unreal.
ZHkABO0VwCg
OH. MY. GOD. Did not expect them to run that back in the end. That is the craziest thing I've ever seen.
SockMonkeyRiot
02/12/10, 07:24 AM
those announcers are hilarious
Killadelphia
02/12/10, 12:28 PM
This too.
S58rstMhKK8
Talib Scottie
02/12/10, 01:39 PM
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a90eaF7RHzw/SdLJUn98maI/AAAAAAAAAJk/0XMbb_wDDcM/s320/lorenzo.bmp
NC State over Houston and "Phi Slamma Jamma," 1983.
Moth To A Flame
02/14/10, 03:36 PM
8th seed Edmonton Oiler run in the playoffs in 06 has to be up there. 8th seed making it all the way to game 7 in the Stanley Cup finals.
I hate this very much but it was incredible. They were underdogs in every series.
Scrawns
02/15/10, 12:30 AM
i think its funny how many people were quick to just post the sports clip that they fap to the hardest, instead of a real upset.
showmethefever
02/15/10, 12:51 AM
They've been posted, but the Miracle on Ice and George Mason are both really great.
showmethefever
02/15/10, 01:04 AM
those announcers are hilarious
Yeah, they we're great. The one sounded like he was about ready to cry.
skyphoenix
02/15/10, 02:53 AM
A lot of the biggest ones I was considering have been posted, but for some hometown love...I would say the Tigers beating the Yankees and then sweeping the Oakland A's to get to the World Series in 2006 and maybe the Pistons beating the Lakers for the Championship in 2004.
Homeless Donut
03/11/10, 02:59 AM
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/homelessdonut/assetContent.jpg
I'm surprised no one mentioned this. I recall a lot of sportcasters saying that it was the equivalent to a 13 seed winning the NCAA basketball tournament. ESPN broke it down like this: " In terms of the NCAA basketball tournament, Fresno State's run would be equivalent to a 13 seed beating a 4 seed in the first round, a 5 seed in the second round, a top seed in the Sweet 16, a second seed in the Elite 8, another top seed in the Final Four, and still another 2 seed for the championship. "
schenksta
03/11/10, 07:25 PM
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/homelessdonut/assetContent.jpg
I'm surprised no one mentioned this. I recall a lot of sportcasters saying that it was the equivalent to a 13 seed winning the NCAA basketball tournament. ESPN broke it down like this: " In terms of the NCAA basketball tournament, Fresno State's run would be equivalent to a 13 seed beating a 4 seed in the first round, a 5 seed in the second round, a top seed in the Sweet 16, a second seed in the Elite 8, another top seed in the Final Four, and still another 2 seed for the championship. "
Not to downplay that accomplishment, but under matched teams have a way better shot of beating a better team in baseball than in basketball, so the NCAA basketball example isn't entirely valid. But yes, that CWS was crazy.
softhands
03/11/10, 07:38 PM
2010 World Junior Hockey.
lol
inVINCEable1008
03/11/10, 09:11 PM
i'd actually consider that an upset
former national champs playing in their home city as an 8 point favorite
not one of the greatest upsets in sports history but still an upset
Not to mention the fact that ESPN had an ongoing segment about if USC was the greatest college football team of all time.
But I gotta go with George Mason, not many people pick them out of the first round. Taking down Michigan State, UNC, and UConn.
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