So you root for the underdog.

You’re hardly alone. Even Alabama fans, many of them, find themselves cheering for a team like Jacksonville State now and then. Upsets make for some of the most memorable games every season.

But, alas, this year’s SEC slate barely featured any. SEC teams have played 169 games this year. Just four featured a straight-up win by a double-digit underdog, a line of demarcation for a significant upset.

(All four of those games were losses to non-conference opponents. The biggest SEC vs. SEC underdog win? Ole Miss at Alabama, as an underdog of barely more than one possession, against a team it beat last year as well.)

That’s a remarkable number considering how many upsets take place each and every week in college football. Also, it underscores two things:

  1. The SEC was darned competitive and balanced this season, especially in the West Division, where double-digit favorites were harder to find than the most difficult “Where’s Waldo?” ever.
  2. Seemingly every time a potential upset unfolded, the big, bad SEC team pulled it out in the end. Usually in overtime.
  • Auburn 27, Jacksonville State 20, OT (40-point spread)
  • Florida 20, Florida Atlantic 14, OT (28.5-point spread)
  • Kentucky 34, Eastern Kentucky 27, OT (27.5-point spread)
  • Missouri 9, UConn 6 (21.5-point spread)
  • Georgia 23, Georgia Southern 17, OT (13-point spread)

Still, there were a few results that were borderline shocking, and still more that were genuine surprises.

Here are the five biggest upsets in games involving SEC teams during the 2015 season:

1. Toledo 16, Arkansas 12

Vegas Line: Rockets +23

What happened: Brandon Allen threw for 412 yards, but Arkansas rushed for just 103 against the Rockets in an upset no one saw coming. According to ESPN, Arkansas was the first FBS team since 2000 to produce 500 yards of offense and fewer than two turnovers while scoring 12 or fewer points in a game.

2. The Citadel 23, South Carolina 22

Vegas Line: Bulldogs +22.5

What happened: Pharoh Cooper scored a miracle 94-yard touchdown with 44 seconds to go, but the officials called a controversial false start. Still, the Gamecocks never should’ve been in that position. Led by Tyler Renew, The Citadel outrushed South Carolina, 350 yards to 72. The Bulldogs threw just three passes in this embarrassment of an SEC loss.

3. Memphis 37, Ole Miss 24

Vegas Line: Tigers +10.5

What happened: After falling behind 14-0, Memphis scored 31 unanswered points, including three touchdown passes by Paxton Lynch. Chad Kelly threw two interceptions and the Rebels managed just 1.7 yards per carry. After crawling within a touchdown in the fourth quarter, a lethargic Ole Miss couldn’t get any closer at the Liberty Bowl.

4. Texas Tech 35, Arkansas 24

Vegas Line: Red Raiders +10

What happened: Texas Tech’s offense wracked up nearly 500 yards, and unlike in 2014, didn’t get totally plundered by the Hogs on the ground. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes accounted for three total touchdowns. The only notable thing about this game was the comments of coach Kliff Kingsbury after it was over: “(Bret Bielema) just got his (butt) kicked twice in a row and probably next week by (Texas) A&M as well.”

5. Ole Miss 43, Alabama 37

Vegas Line: Rebels +8.5

What happened: Ole Miss played well enough in this game, but Alabama nearly won despite itself. The Tide turned the ball over five times, and the Rebels didn’t turn the ball over once. Ole Miss receiver Quincy Adeboyejo caught a tipped pass and raced 66 yards for a touchdown on what was more of a fling and a prayer from quarterback Chad Kelly. Ole Miss receiver Cody Core streaked 73 yards for another touchdown on a blown coverage. This was the only Alabama game which Jake Coker didn’t start, as he relieved Cooper Bateman.

HONORARY MENTION

South Carolina 17, North Carolina 13

Vegas Line: Gamecocks -1.5

What happened: South Carolina entered this game as a very short favorite. But consider that the Gamecocks won three games all season, and the Tar Heels finished the regular season 11-1. Suddenly this looks like a candidate as one of the SEC’s biggest upsets this season. South Carolina intercepted Marquise Williams three times, including two in the end zone by Gamecocks linebacker Skai Moore.

JUST MISSED THE CUT

All of these winners were underdogs of a touchdown or more in Vegas:

  • Arkansas 53, Ole Miss 52, OT (+7.5)
  • Auburn 26, Texas A&M 10 (+7)
  • Kentucky 26, South Carolina 20 (+7)
  • Florida 38, Ole Miss 10 (+7)