As another NCAA football betting season is winding down, and the world of online sports betting is eagerly awaiting BCS odds, it’s time to reflect on what makes college sports so darn exciting: Underdogs. Cinderella stories are the very reason people turn out in droves for NCAA basketball betting every March, and are the incentive to lay down big money on wacky NCAA spreads throughout the year, on the off-chance some unknown team might cover.

Surprise stories are what arguably make college football betting more exciting than NFL football betting - every year new teams crack the Top 25 or upset big-name schools.

Let’s take a look at the top five surprises from this NCAA football season!

5. Penn State

When your coach is calling plays from the press box and coordinating practices from a golf cart, it generally means your team will be in trouble. However, Joe Paterno has looked every bit the winningest coach in NCAA football history this season, digging the Nittany Lions out of Big Ten squalor and vaulting them into BCS title contention. A loss, and failure to cover NCAA football spreads against Iowa has certainly hampered their chances of being in the BCS Championship, however it has still been an incredibly successful season for JoePa and the boys.

4. Buffalo

Just a few years ago, the Buffalo Bulls were the laughingstock of the NCAA football betting world. After moving up to Division I, the Bulls stumbled through numerous one-win seasons, and continuous crushing defeats to mediocre MAC teams. However, all it took was a new coach - former Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill - and the Buffalo program will go to a bowl game for the first time in its history. Gill has used pivot Drew Willy and running back James Starks to create one of the nation’s most efficient offenses, and will contend for a MAC championship before they head off for a bowl game in January.

3. ECU

Granted, they’ve cooled off, but for the first three weeks of the season, the East Carolina Pirates were the story of the year. Coming in as huge underdogs on NCAA football odds in all three contests, the Pirates wiped out Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Tulane all in succession. Despite three straight losses following those miracle games, the Pirates have stormed back and will contend for the Conference-USA crown, along with Tulsa.

2. Oregon State

The Beavers were the ultimate underdogs in Week 4, playing against No. 1 ranked USC in a Thursday night prime time duel. Some sportsbooks weren’t even offering NCAA football odds or NCAA football lines on the game, however right from the coin toss, fans could see the game would be special. Jacquizz Rodgers - a running back generously listed at 5’7” - went berserk, running for 186 yards and two touchdowns, and the Beavers knocked off the Trojans. However, Oregon State turned out to be the real deal, currently sitting at No. 23 in the AP poll.

1. Texas Tech

Any team that can make their way out of the Big 12 with a winning record is pretty darn good - so what does it make you if you’re undefeated? Amazing. That’s exactly what the Red Raiders, led by quarterback Graham Harrell and his trusty sidekick Michael Crabtree, have been this season. Normally a perennial Big 12 whipping boy, Texas Tech stormed out of the gate with a brand new aggressive defense, and run n’ shoot offense that has baffled teams all season long. Barring a major upset, the Red Raiders should appear in the BCS Championship in January.