If you’re one of those “It’s fall I NEED a Pumpkin Spice Latte NOW” people, then the answer is yes.
Last week had a few fun upsets with Tennessee and Michigan State pulled off major wins, while LSU and Iowa State held strong at home for substantial points for many people. Will we have a week without upsets? There are several games in the > 300 point category. Let’s try and identify candidates.
Upset Specials?
NC State 600 at Clemson: The Pack seems to play Clemson tough. They usually catch them midseason when Clemson is vulnerable. This year I think Clemson’s vulnerability window was the QB transition period that they seem to be putting in the past. Clemson now ranks 10th OE and 5th DE. NC State is a solid 30th and 29th. This will be a good game, but an upset on the road will be difficult.
Colorado 600 at Washington: Colorado was exposed on the road last week, but did not suffer a terrible loss to USC. Washington is not as good as they were expected to be but they have a top 10 defense. Colorado is most similar to South Florida or Boise. Would you pick either of those teams to win at Washington?
Ohio State at Purdue 515: Brohm is a fantastic coach. Purdue does not have much talent and this guy is good at maximizing what he has and they have some offense. The Boilers are 17th in OE but 84th in DE. The Buckeyes will score all day long but their defense (41st) might struggle to hold Purdue. An upset is unlikely, but if Ohio State is looking ahead to next week, Purdue has the talent to steal a win
Penn State at Indiana 550: Penn St is coming off of an ugly loss against Michigan St last week and now has two losses on the season, which takes them out of the running for any chance at a Playoff spot. Will they come out uninspired against an Indiana team that would be more than happy to hand the Nittany Lions their third loss of the season? Doubtful, but crazier things have happened this year.
Road Heavyweights
Bama 101 at Tennessee: A few midseason injuries are making Bama look mortal. Not mortal enough.
Oklahoma 131 at TCU: You need an elite defense to slow down Oklahoma. You also need at least a top 50 offense to keep up. TCU can slow OU down but cannot outscore them. I bet they lose a close game.
UCF 107 at East Carolina: UCF is very good and we hardly ever get to see them play a decent team. ECU is bad. Enough said.
Michigan 136 at Michigan State: The Wolverines are looking good and Sparty’s luck has to run out at some point. Michigan is not a good road team though!
Home Money
Mississippi State at LSU 138: State has to do something else with its offense other than QB runs. LSU should feast when State tries to throw.
UCONN at USF 100: As bad as USF looked last week, they could sleepwalk their way to a win over UCANT.
Vandy at Kentucky 123: Vandy has been playing teams tough but Kentucky is having a special year. Should be low scoring.
Maryland at Iowa 122: The Hawkeyes are going to be a thorn in somebody’s side late this season. They are playing well.
Illinois at Wisconsin 103: Badgers bounce back against an easy opponent.
Toss Up Games
Oregon 198 at Washington State 185: Both teams have good offenses and bad defenses and are very similar. Home field advantage might be the best bet here for 185 points.
Cincinnati 265 at Temple 153: This should be a defensive war. Cincy has better offense than Temple and Cincy is undefeated.
