College Football Upset Alert: Week One
With the 2011 college football season nearing, it’s an exciting time for all teams. Regardless of expectations, rankings, and circumstances, every team is on an even footing where the sky is the limit and just about anything is possible. Having said that, here are a few games in week one to keep an eye on for a potential early upset:
TCU @ Baylor
This game will come down to how TCU performs. After losing standout quarterback Andy Dalton, as well as half of their starters from last year’s Rose Bowl Champion team, we will soon find out if there are any holes or glaring weaknesses in the Horned Frogs’ game. As for Baylor, they will not only be looking to avenge a 45-10 shellacking at TCU last season, but will also be riding on the momentum of making their first bowl appearance in 16 seasons, as well as the arm of Robert Griffin III, who set a school-record with 3,501 passing yards last year. If TCU’s defense is less than stellar and this game turns into a shootout, they could have a problem in their first road test.
Appalachian State @ Virginia Tech
This one goes without saying. We all know about the historic upset of Michigan that Appalachian State pulled off in the Big House in 2007. Even more important, Virginia Tech suffered a shocking loss to James Madison at home last season. Because of their slow start last season, in which they started 0-2 before winning their next 11 games, I tend to think that the Hokies will want to avoid the same fate this season at all costs, but under the circumstances, this game must be mentioned.
South Florida @ Notre Dame
Sorry, but I just can’t buy into all of the Notre Dame hype. This seems to happen every year, and they always run into a semi-decent team and fall apart. In their first game of the year, the Irish will be facing a South Florida team with an experienced quarterback. B.J. Daniels has 4,787 passing yards in his 22 career starts, and is also no stranger to tucking the ball up field himself. He was also MVP of the Meineke Car Care Bowl last season. Head coach Skip Holtz compiled an 8-5 record last season, his first at the helm of the Bulls.
James Madison @ North Carolina
James Madison has already shown the ability to go on the road and beat an ACC team, as they did so in beating Virginia Tech last year. However, if the Tar Heels can get their offense going, they might cruise to a win, as JMU’s team will probably be built on their defense. But, if UNC is careless with the ball, it could be an entirely different story.
Arkansas State @ Illinois
This could be a big trap game for Illinois. A weaker Big Ten opponent over the past few seasons, the Illini have had plenty of time to sit around and hear about how much better they are going to be this season. Arkansas State, on the other hand, was not particularly good last season, but lost a bunch of close games. They also came very close to beating an Iowa team on the road in 2009 that won its first 9 games. That was with mostly different players of course, but just like Appalachian State, the potential is there. Will Illinois be able to block out outside expectations and get by their first game?
William & Mary @ Virginia
Who is William & Mary? They’re the team that beat Virginia the last time the two teams played in 2009, and are currently the 3rd ranked team in the FCS. The Tribe are coming off of a decent year, in which they went 8-4, and are very good on both sides of the ball. Virginia, on the other hand, is coming off of a 4-8 season, and will be using a rookie quarterback. William & Mary, led by former UNC backup quarterback Michael Paulus, has a very legitimate shot to come out of this game with a win.
Northern Iowa @ Iowa State
Northern Iowa posses a well balanced team that comes into Jack Trice Stadium with a #7 FCS ranking. UNI was shut out by the Cyclones last season, but won the matchup before that, so beating Iowa State is not unknown territory for them. ISU comes into the game after a 5-7 2010 campaign. They look to be improved in head coach Paul Rhodes’ 3rd season, but face an also improved Panther team in a game that could very well be decided in the 4th quarter.
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