The term upset is simply defined as “an unexpected defeat,” but in sports it can mean so much more. For the favorite, it’s about the pressure that comes with heightened expectations. For the underdog, it’s about using those expectations as motivation. As part of our ongoing Decade Debate series, here is a list of the ten biggest upsets of the last ten years. Remember, the magnitude of the stage is just as important as the perceived disparity between the two parties involved, so extra points are given to upsets that occurred in the postseason or in a title game.

10. Federer beats Sampras at the 2001 Wimbledon

By 2001, the sports world had begun to question Pete Sampras’ ability as a dominant tennis player. The man was just 29 years old and the owner of 13 Grand Slam titles, but critics predicted an oncoming collapse. Since winning the Australian Open in 1997, Pistol Pete’s Grand Slam championships curiously only came at Wimbledon. In fact, Sampras had captured all but one Wimbledon championship since his first appearance in 1993. Naturally, if he was a sure bet anywhere, it was at the All England Club. While most will remember this time period as the declining stage of Sampras’ career, it also marked the beginning of Roger Federer’s success as a professional. After winning the Wimbledon juniors in 1998, Federer was often viewed as the likely heir to Sampras’ throne. Still, nobody expected the 19 year-old and the Grand Slam record holder to clash at Wimbledon in 2001. Furthermore, if they did happen to meet, Federer wasn’t supposed to win. Making his Centre Court debut, Federer defeated Sampras 7-6 (7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5, thereby snapping Sampras’ 31-match winning streak at Wimbledon. Sure, it was only a fourth round match, but it symbolized so much more. This is one of the greatest upsets of the decade not simply because Sampras was favored, but because of everything that followed. Sampras would retire in two years and Federer would eventually live up to those wild expectations. And forget about Sampras getting any revenge – the two would never again face each other on the professional level. – Christopher Glotfelty

9. Edmonton upsets Detroit in 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Detroit was a heavy favorite in the quarterfinals, as the top-seeded Red Wings were coming off a terrific 124-point regular season in which they captured the President’s Trophy. Meanwhile, the Oilers squeaked into the playoffs as an #8-seed after a 95-point regular season. The Red Wings won Game 1 in Detroit, but dropped Game 2. The two teams also split the next two games in Edmonton. The Oilers then closed out the series winning Game 5 in Detroit and Game 6 at home, both by one-goal margins. The series featured two double-overtime games (Game 1 & Game 6) and all six games were decided by two goals or less. – John Paulsen

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It was supposed to be a tune up game for Michigan – a laugher in which the Wolverines could pull their starters early in the third quarter. But Appalachian State had other plans and not only did the Mountaineers hang with the Wolverines in the opening weekend of the 2007 college football season, they beat them 34-32 in Michigan Stadium.

The Appalachian State quarterback that day was Armanti Edwards, a 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore from Greenwood, South Carolina. Edwards threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns, as well as totaling 62 yards and a touchdown on the ground. It was easily one of the best individual performances in college football last year.

In just two seasons, Edwards has led the Mountaineers to two consecutive FCS (formally Division I-AA) championships. Perhaps even more impressive than what he does on the field, is what he does off it. Not only did he graduate high school with a 3.3 GPA, but his App State bio notes that he also spends time as a volunteer with Boone Celebrity Serve and reads to area schools and day-care centers. It’s also noteworthy that when he was recruited out of high school, he spurned the chance to play for Georgia and Clemson because he had already made a commitment to App State.

As he enters his junior season, Edwards is considered a Heisman Trophy candidate. But does he have a legit chance? In the past 20-plus years, no Division I-AA/FCS has won the prestigious award.

It’s understandable that FCS players have been passed up for the award, after all, Edwards doesn’t have to face defenses like Georgia, Florida State and Tennessee like 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow does.

But the Heisman Trophy is supposed to be awarded to the best college football player of that season. And if Armanti Edwards is the best college football player this season, he should be awarded the trophy, regardless of what school he plays for and what defenses he faces. Just because he doesn’t get the national attention as Tebow or other big-named college football players, doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve a fair shot at the Heisman. (Although if he marches his Mountaineers into Louisiana and beats No. 6 LSU on August 30, he’ll get more than his fair share of national attention.)

Will Edwards win the 2008 Heisman? Probably not – his competition for the award is steep this year with Tebow, Beanie Wells (Ohio State) and Knowshon Moreno (Georgia) all vying for the award as well, plus history isn’t on his side.

But even if I didn’t mention him in my Top 10 Heisman Hopefuls (several App State fans let me hear about it, too) I still believe Edwards at least deserves mention and even more so, deserves a legit chance because regardless of what uniform he dons on Saturdays, the kid can play. I should know – I was in attendance the day he made Michigan fans want to jump off the top row of the Big House.