The 2021 college football season was filled with unexpected twists and turns, but two particular upsets stood out among the rest. Notre Dame and Ohio State, two powerhouse programs with high expectations, both suffered shocking losses that sent shockwaves through the college football world.
The first upset came when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, ranked #7 in the nation at the time, faced off against the unranked Florida State Seminoles in a highly anticipated matchup. The game was held at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, and expectations were high for the Fighting Irish to come out on top. However, the Seminoles had other plans.
The game got off to a rocky start for Notre Dame, with Florida State jumping out to an early lead. The Fighting Irish struggled to find their rhythm on offense, and the Seminoles’ defense was relentless in their pursuit of quarterback Jack Coan. Despite a valiant effort to mount a comeback in the second half, Notre Dame ultimately fell short, losing to Florida State by a score of 38-35.
The upset sent shockwaves through the college football world, as many had expected Notre Dame to be a contender for the College Football Playoff. The loss raised questions about the Fighting Irish’s ability to compete with top-tier teams and left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.
The second upset of the season came when the Ohio State Buckeyes, ranked #5 in the nation, faced off against the unranked Oregon Ducks in a highly anticipated non-conference matchup. The game was held at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, and expectations were high for the Buckeyes to come out on top. However, the Ducks had other plans.
Oregon came out swinging, taking an early lead and never looking back. The Buckeyes struggled to contain the Ducks’ high-powered offense, led by quarterback Anthony Brown and star running back CJ Verdell. Despite a late rally in the fourth quarter, Ohio State ultimately fell to Oregon by a score of 35-28.
The upset sent shockwaves through the college football world, as many had pegged Ohio State as a frontrunner for the College Football Playoff. The loss raised questions about the Buckeyes’ defense and their ability to compete with top-tier teams, leaving fans and analysts alike stunned.
Both Notre Dame and Ohio State’s upset losses served as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of college football. No team is safe from an upset, no matter how talented or highly ranked they may be. These losses also highlighted the importance of every game in a team’s season, as one misstep can have lasting consequences on their playoff hopes.
As the season progressed, both Notre Dame and Ohio State worked to bounce back from their upset losses. The Fighting Irish went on to win several key matchups, including a victory over rival USC, to finish the season with a respectable 10-2 record. Despite their early setback, Notre Dame showed resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Ohio State, on the other hand, faced a tougher road to redemption. The Buckeyes suffered another loss to Michigan later in the season, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. However, they rebounded with wins over Michigan State and Purdue to finish with a 10-2 record as well. Ohio State’s high-powered offense and talented roster helped them overcome their early setbacks and finish the season strong.
Both Notre Dame and Ohio State’s seasons served as a reminder of the ups and downs of college football. One week, a team can be riding high with championship aspirations, and the next, they can be brought back down to earth with a shocking upset loss. The unpredictability of the sport is what makes it so exciting for fans and players alike, as anything can happen on any given Saturday.
Looking ahead to the future, both Notre Dame and Ohio State will need to regroup and refocus in order to achieve their goals next season. The Fighting Irish will look to build on their successes and shore up their weaknesses to make a run at the College Football Playoff. Ohio State, meanwhile, will aim to learn from their mistakes and come back even stronger next year, with their sights set on a national championship.
In the end, both Notre Dame and Ohio State’s upset losses served as a valuable lesson in resilience and perseverance. College football is a game of highs and lows, but it’s how teams respond to adversity that truly defines their season. Notre Dame and Ohio State may have stumbled along the way, but they showed resilience and determination in the face of adversity, setting the stage for future success.
