Vanderbilt Shocks No. 1 Alabama in Historic Upset on a Day of College Football Surprises

College football experienced one of its most unpredictable Saturdays in recent memory, as four of the top 11 teams in the AP poll faced shocking defeats at the hands of unranked opponents. This unprecedented chaos marked the first time in eight years that such a high number of upsets occurred on the same day, according to sports technology company Sportradar.

Among the day’s most dramatic moments was Vanderbilt’s stunning 40-35 victory over No. 1 Alabama in Nashville. Just a week after the Crimson Tide claimed the top spot in the rankings by defeating their long-standing rivals, the Georgia Bulldogs, they found themselves on the wrong side of history.

In addition to the Vanderbilt-Alabama game, No. 4 Tennessee fell to Arkansas 19-14, No. 10 Michigan lost to Washington 27-17, and Minnesota edged out No. 11 USC 24-17. Yet it was in Nashville where the celebrations echoed late into the night, as jubilant Vanderbilt fans were seen parading a goal post down Broadway before tossing it into the Cumberland River.

Despite never having beaten a top-five team in their history, the Commodores established control early in the game. They jumped to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, withstanding a relentless Alabama offense spearheaded by quarterback Jalen Milroe, a Heisman hopeful, and talented freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams.

Just after halftime, Milroe managed to score a 14-yard rushing touchdown, narrowing the deficit to 23-21. However, Vanderbilt’s quarterback Diego Pavia quickly responded, throwing a touchdown pass to extend their lead. On Alabama’s next possession, Milroe connected with Williams on a breathtaking 58-yard pass, which brought the score to 30-28, keeping the Crimson Tide within striking distance.

Vanderbilt answered once more with a field goal, followed by another touchdown from Pavia, extending their lead to 40-28. With less than five minutes remaining and urgency mounting, Alabama needed a touchdown to stay in contention. The Crimson Tide drove down the field and scored a two-yard rushing touchdown by Williams. Despite the pressure, Vanderbilt maintained their composure, running down the clock to secure the historic win, prompting fans to rush the field at FirstBank Stadium.

Before Saturday’s game, Vanderbilt had an unfortunate record of 0-60 against top-five opponents, the most losses without a win in NCAA history. Pavia completed the game with 252 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 57 rushing yards, while Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander contributed two touchdowns of his own.

After the game, Commodores head coach Clark Lea reflected on the monumental win. “That’s a really good football team,” Lea said. “This is the dream right here, and for the next 12 hours, I am going to enjoy the dream. We got more ahead of us, but this is what Vanderbilt football needs to be about—big wins on big stages. We are going to get some more.”

Vanderbilt’s victory snapped a 23-game losing streak against Alabama, marking their first triumph over the Crimson Tide since 1984. With this win, Vanderbilt improved its record to 3-2, while Alabama fell to 4-1.

Looking ahead, Vanderbilt will face Kentucky on the road next week, while Alabama is set to host South Carolina.

A Day of Unprecedented Upsets

The day’s upsets didn’t end with Vanderbilt. Arkansas also pulled off a stunning victory by defeating No. 4 Tennessee 19-14, scoring a decisive touchdown with under two minutes remaining. Their fans stormed the field in jubilation, celebrating a remarkable achievement.

This marked the first occasion in history that multiple AP Top 5 SEC teams lost to unranked opponents on the same day. “These guys are happy; they’re not surprised. If we have the same amount of turnovers, we can play with anybody,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman remarked after the game.

In another significant matchup, Washington avenged last season’s national championship loss by overcoming No. 10 Michigan 27-17. After a fast start that saw Washington take a 14-0 lead in the second quarter, Michigan fought back to tie the game at 17 late in the fourth quarter. However, the Huskies responded with a touchdown and field goal to secure the win.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, Minnesota capped off the day’s drama by scoring a last-minute touchdown to defeat No. 11 USC 24-17.

Saturday’s college football games will be remembered for their unpredictability and excitement, setting the stage for an exhilarating remainder of the season.