I ask this because I am seeing an abnormal number of upsets per week in football. College and pro.
The most recent was the pounding of the #1 ranked Giants (at least in my mind they were as well as some other experts) from the lowly Cleveland Browns.
Not to mention last year's Superbowl.
So...I'd like to ask. What is in the making of an upset?...
ShuffleMind
Favorite Answer
Nothing to lose attitude?...
kvilledave
PARITY. The NFL has strived over the past 15 years through player free agency and trade conditions to ensure every market (i.e. "team") has the ability to compete. This year it seems to have finally taken total effect. Any team on "any given Sunday" can win versus any other team.
Nothing wrong with it. It in fact increases the watchability of each game and definitely thereby lines the pockets of those who stand to gain from better competition throughout the league.
robe
Overlooking an opponent based on their record to date
Coming off of, or playing next week, a game with a major opponent
Coming in with a much better record, but the individual match-ups at key positions are not in your favor
Poor play selection
Matt
Trap game (definition: a "lesser" opponent sandwiched between two bigger rivals)
Give up big plays
Turn the ball over
VGpugs
The key ingredient seems to be dumb, stupid mistakes being made by the team that is favored to win and the underdog taking advantage of those dumb, stupid mistakes....fumbles, INTs, penalties that hurt their teams forward progress. underestimating their opponent.