FCS champion vs # 5 Michigan
When an NFL team is so bad, you start hearing arguments about the best college football team possibly beating the worst NFL team. But, of course, the logical argument is that the worst athletes in the higher league would be among the best at the lower level, and thus there is no real chance of an upset. Michigan thought the same in 2007 when they scheduled their season opener against the Appalachian State Mountaineers football team.
Michigan plays at the best college football level, the NCAA Division I FBS. They were ranked fifth in the country and were considered contenders for the national championship.
The Appalachian State University football team plays in the NCAA Division I FCS (formerly known as NCAA Division I-AA). At the time, they won back-to-back FCS championships and were ranked number one in FCS.
Despite those credentials, Michigan was the prohibitive favorite, with Vegas not even issuing a betting line for the game. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on perspective, the game did not proceed as expected. Appalachian State led at the half and came back to win it with a last-minute field goal.
Quotes
That may be one of the great victories in college football -- maybe the greatest. This victory today -- you've got to remember these kids have won two national championships -- and this is not bigger than those because the championships are in our league, our division. We're the best that year. But they will never ever forget today's experience as long as they live.
Jerry Moore
