Betting college football isn’t for the faint of heart, as anything can — and will — happen from week to week. Already this season, we’ve seen several big upsets of ranked and unranked teams, including UCLA and new starting QB Nico Iamaleava losing 35-10 — at home, no less — to New Mexico as a 16-point favorite.
We’ll be keeping track of all the biggest point-spread upsets and will update this piece throughout the season.
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Here are the biggest upsets so far in the college football 2025-26 season, according to the betting markets.
1. New Mexico (+16) over UCLA
Sept. 12
The season went from bad to worse for UCLA and starting QB Nico Iamaleava, as the Bruins were trounced at home by New Mexico. The Bruins never led in the game and gave up 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. The Lobos ran for 298 yards on a whopping 46 carries and scored three rushing touchdowns.
Final score: New Mexico 35, UCLA 10
T-2. Tarleton State (+14) over Army
Aug. 29
A back-and-forth game with a number of lead changes, the Black Knights rallied from a 24-10 third-quarter deficit to force overtime. After an exchange of field goals in the first overtime, Army kicker Dawson Jones missed a 40-yarder in the second OT, and Tarleton State kicker Brad Larson nailed a 37-yarder to give Tarleton State the win.
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Final score: Tarleton State 30, Army 27
T-2. Central Michigan (+14) over San Jose State
Aug. 29
San Jose State dominated through the air (308 yards passing), but its defense allowed 236 yards rushing to Central Michigan, whose two QBs threw for a combined 115 yards. The Spartans ended up falling short on the scoreboard after two fourth-quarter missed field goals (33 yards and 56 yards) by their kicker Denis Lynch.
Final score: Central Michigan 16, San Jose State 14
T-2. Stanford (+14) over Boston College
Sept. 13
Not too many people probably watched this game, as it was a late kickoff on the East Coast. But if they missed it, then they missed Frank Reich’s first career win as a collegiate head coach. The game was tied at 20 at halftime, but the Cardinal held the Eagles scoreless in the second half. Stanford RB Micah Ford’s career-high 157 rushing yards (and a TD) helped the Cardinal control the game.
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Final score: Stanford 30, Boston College 20
5. Florida State (+13.5) over Alabama
Aug. 30
Many more people saw this game, as Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first game of his second season didn’t go according to plan. Florida State racked up 236 yards on the ground on 46 carries, including 16 rushes for QB Tommy Castellanos for 78 yards and a TD. Castellanos backed up his smack talk from the offseason, leading his team to a shocking Week 1 win over the Crimson Tide.
Final score: Florida State 31, Alabama 17