Upset Alert! Week 11
The tension continues to build as we enter week 11 in the NCAA football season and many questions are left unanswered, but as always, there are plenty of opportunities for upsets this week that could clear up the National Championship picture. Out of the top four teams in the country, each of which is still undefeated, two have easy opponents this week and should be in the clear. But the other two are very much in danger and therefore they’ve made it onto this week’s Upset Alertttt!
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide
I know right? The Tide? Come on, they can’t actually be in danger of being upset. This is the team that has been nearly flawless all season and has been the undisputed number one all year long. And after the Tide’s win last week on the road against their nemesis and maybe the one team that could have beaten them, LSU, who would question their chances to run the table and make the trip to their second straight National Championship game?
Well, I will. The fact is Alabama matches up better against LSU than their opponent this week, Texas A & M. The 15th ranked Aggies will bring the country’s 5th best offense in terms of total yards and 4th in terms of points scored into Tuscaloosa this weekend. The Crimson Tide also have not faced the type of dual threat that A & M quarterback Johnny Manziel represents. Manziel has thrown for more than 2500 yards this season, but has rushed for nearly 1000 as well. Alabama is used to beating teams by grinding it out for four quarters and winning the trench war, but with so many offensive options, the Aggies may be able to catch Bama off guard and hit some big plays.
When you look at the other side of the ball, Alabama obviously has the advantage with that huge offensive line and one of the best running games (24th) in the nation against a rather undersized Aggie front four. However, the Aggies’ defense is probably better than most people think. This is a team that has only allowed 21 points per game and mind you, that’s in the SEC conference, considered to be the best in college football.
The other big advantage for Bama though, is the home field. Alabama plays even better at home and if they control the line of scrimmage like they should, it will be tough for the Aggies to possess the ball long enough to sustain big drives. I will say Alabama avoids the upset, but just barely. Take A & M to cover the +13.5 spread this week.
#2 Kansas State Wildcats
Like the Crimson Tide, the Wildcats have been consistently solid all season long, but a drastic turn of events occurred last week that will surely impact the rest of their season. Their Heisman candidate quarterback and leader Collin Klein left the game against Oklahoma State with an injury. It’s unclear whether he will play this week, but even if he does, there are obviously going to be questions regarding his effectiveness going forward.
And really that’s what the game this week against TCU and the season for K State is riding on; Klein’s health and availability. There’s no doubt that if he plays and is close to 100%, that K State will roll over TCU’s limited defense. However if he sits, or isn’t the same Klein, the Frogs could easily pull the upset here. The fact is Klein, who has accounted for 29 total touchdowns, is Kansas State’s offense and without him, the Wildcats are not the same team.
Be sure to check the status of Klein as the week goes on, but consider this one an upset if he misses the game. If he suits up, take the Cats to win and cover the -7.5 spread.
