College Football 2019: Ranking Week 11’s craziest upsets
By John Scimeca
3. Tulsa 34, Central Florida 31
Despite two earlier setbacks this season, UCF still held dreams of competing for the American Athletic Conference title and for perhaps even the designation of the Group of 5’s best team. Tulsa crushed those hopes on Friday night, outscoring the Knights 10-0 in the fourth quarter to emerge with the upset victory.
The loss was UCF’s third of the season, while Tulsa moved to 3-7 and got its first conference win in six tries this season — though several of these setbacks were close calls, such as a triple-overtime loss to No. 25 SMU and a one-point defeat against No. 21 Memphis.
2. No. 3 LSU 46, No. 2 Alabama 41
It was truly only an upset according to the numbers put forth by the Vegas oddsmakers in this top-billed matchup between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers. The victory was LSU’s first against Alabama since 2011, and it marked the first time Alabama lost a home game after 31 consecutive wins.
The Tigers’ 33-13 halftime lead was the largest home halftime deficit the Crimson Tide had faced since 2000. Hobbled quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Tide didn’t roll over in the game’s second half, though, managing to pull within 33-27 and 39-34 late. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, however, delivered a Heisman-worthy performance of 31-of-39 completions for 393 yards and three touchdowns.
LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Hilaire was a key part of the high-powered LSU offense, totaling 180 yards and four touchdowns on the ground and through the air. The conversation will now turn to whether Alabama still has a shot at making the CFP this year after its cupcake-laden strength of schedule fully comes to light.