If the first few weeks of the fall season in college sports taught us anything, it's that rankings mean very little.And that the underdog's bite is getting as tough as its bark.
The word 'upset' has taken on a new definition. Joining the Miracle on Ice and Boise State's triumph in last season's Fiesta Bowl are images of Appalachian State defensive back Corey Lynch blocking Michigan kicker Jason Gingell's last-second field goal two Saturdays ago, and the celebration that ensued.
In the first two weeks of the season, preseason Top 25 teams Auburn, Florida State and Georgia dropped games to unranked opponents. Meanwhile, those same Mountaineers who beat Michigan picked up 19 points in the most recent AP Top 25 poll.
I couldn't be happier.
Parity is something that has been lacking in college football for a long time, but it is slowly starting to creep into the sport. Even as late as five years ago, South Florida would've been considered an afterthought to a team like Auburn. After the Bulls stunned the Tigers on the road Saturday, the big dogs need to realize that the little guy can make some noise too.College football isn't the only sport where upsets keep popping up this year. It seems as if every Ohio squad has had its David moment this fall, slaying the Goliaths of their respective sports.
The volleyball team achieved its highest ranking in program history after stunning wins over perennial power Minnesota and another highly-ranked foe in San Diego. Wins like those can not only define a team's season, but an entire program's future.
Meanwhile, Neil Macmillan's field hockey squad pulled off wins over ranked opponents in Duke and Ohio State, and came up just short in a third upset bid against Michigan State.
However, both teams were on the opposite end of the spectrum this weekend, and realized that upsets can happen to them, too. The volleyball team dropped its match to Alabama, while the field hockey team fell short to Albany in a double-overtime thriller.
This weekend provides yet another opportunity for parity to strike again. The football team can have its Appalachian State moment when it travels to Blacksburg, Va. to take on the struggling Hokies. Ohio field hockey can bounce back strong if it can knock off Wake Forest.
Will Ohio athletics return to its giant-killing ways? It's hard not to root for it to happen.After all, everyone loves the underdog.
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Jason Fazzone
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Rankings prove poor indication of teamsG
