Week 8 Upset Alert!
It’s another week in the NCAA football season, which means the potential for upsets! Here is this week’s edition of Upset Alert! , focusing on the teams that may be in danger of being upset in college football’s eighth weekend.
#6 LSU
I know, I know, LSU was on upset alert that week and they prevailed over previously 3rd ranked South Carolina. So I was wrong. What was I supposed to do, go against the EA Sports simulation! Anyway, this week, once again LSU is on upset watch because they have another tough game, this time on the road against #18 Texas A & M.
Unlike most teams in the SEC, A & M has a high-flying offense that puts up a lot of points. Anyone that watched the Aggies 59-57 win over Louisiana Tech last week witnessed a record-setting performance from freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel, who racked up 576 yards of total offense. Since losing its week one matchup with current #2 Florida, the Aggies are unbeaten and are 5-1 on the season.
Of course, they’ve never seen a defense as fast or as furious as LSU. The Tigers are ranked eighth in points allowed, giving up just 14 per contest. And with how bad A & M’s defense has been at times, like in last week’s shootout win, the Tigers are obviously the favorite here, by 5.5 points in fact.
The big play-ability of the Aggies is a difference-maker, but LSU can slow down that attack by simply winning time of possession and there’s really no way A & M will be able to stop LSU’s ground game, so take the Tigers to cover in this one. Crisis averted and upset avoided, LSU.
#14 Florida State
The biggest reason the Seminoles land on this week’s upset alert is the fact they’ve already suffered a big upset loss this season, so with that in mind, who’s to say it couldn’t happen again?
The Noles are also against a Miami Hurricanes squad, who although has struggled lately, has shown offensive prowess in a few games this season. And let’s not forget the Canes beat NC State, who beat FSU, so by that logic alone, an upset is certainly possible this week.
Florida State did surrender a fourth quarter lead in its loss to NC State, but was that game a fluke? This is still a team that is ranked 4th in scoring offense and 6th in points allowed on defense. With loads of talent on both sides of the ball, Florida State is a 21 point favorite today on the road. Although I do think the Noles will avoid an upset this week, I don’t think they will cover that kind of spread against Miami, who plays much better at home. Take FSU to win, but the U to cover +21. Whew! Upset avoided, FSU.
#21 Cincinnati
The 5-0 Bearcats have looked strong so far in 2012, but they have faced very few early-season tests, especially on the road. Their signature win was against Virginia Tech, but as we’ve seen, this season’s Hokies squad is not the same team that has dominated the ACC in recent years. This week the Bearcats should have their hands full with an underrated and virtually unknown Toledo Rockets team.
Of course, you could make the same argument against Toledo. Their six wins have come against sub-par teams, but they are 6-1, with their only loss coming against Arizona on the road and in overtime. The Rockets will be at home this time and will display a bevy of talented offensive stars, including Terrance Owens at QB and David Fleullen at tailback. Owens is averaging nearly 300 yards through the air Fleullen has already racked up nearly 800 yards on the ground and nine TDs this season.
The Bearcats have a 5 point edge in this one, but with home field and anonymity on their side, I’m taking the Toledo Rockets to win this one. Look out Cincinnati! Upsettttt!
