The Upset Meter
September 23rd 2010 13:03
Week 4 of college football is right around the corner, so here's a look at possible upsets for this week's top 25 teams.
1. #1 Alabama v.s. #10 Arkansas: As much as Mallett impresses me and I think their formerly horrid secondary looks improved along with the rest of the D, were not in Georgia any more Razorback fans. This is the number one team in the nation, and for a bunch of reasons. They have too good of a front five, too much talent in their running game, and too much of a lot of other things for Arkansas to beat them. It will be a test for the Bama D, but not enough to mark a one in the loss column. Meter: 2, giving Pig Sooey a slight chance.
#3 Boise State v.s. #24 Oregon State: It may be hard for a lot of people to pick against Boise, because they want to see that BCS buster and all the controversy with it. For me, I'd rather see the Beavers hand the Broncos a a-whoopin and end all the fuss. Do think that will happen? Probably not. Jaquizz and James Rodgers may have something to say about that, and I hope they do, but for some reason I see Boise St. barely pulling this one out, causing the talk to persist. Meter: A three, but my heart says five.
#4 TCU v.s. SMU: I don't think many have this on their upset radar, but I add this to the fact that SMU puts up some points. Then again, Andy Dalton and the Horned Frogs can do some damage themselves, and I don't think SMU's defense is quite ready for this caliber. I do like the offense that June Jones has assembled (Reminds a bit of his days in Hawaii with Colt Brennan), but I think coach Patterson shouldn't have a whole lot to worry about in this one. Meter: One
#5 Oregon v.s. Arizona State: This contest I almost didn't put on there, but I'll throw it in there for the fact it's a Pac 10 game, and not the fact the Sun Devils almost beat Wisconsin, because Wisconsin is as over-rated as they come (Sorry Badger fans). Following their close game, AZ State might feel a bit better about themselves, but I'm not sur how long that will last come this weekend. Oregon has an explosive, even though that may not describe it well enough, offense. Their defense is over-looked a bit, but they have a strong one. Overall, there's too much talent for the Sun Devils to try to make up for. Meter: Two, with it hopefully not being a runaway.
#7 Texas v.s. UCLA- This is almost like disrespecting Texas' program, but I still have my questions, even after their victory over Tech last Saturday. Yes it's UCLA, the epitimy of questions right now, but giving were not sue which Bruins team will show up, I put this game on the list. Will it be the UCLA that looked atrocious against Stanford, or the UCLA that beat top 25 Houston last week. I think if I were to guess, I would say a bit more like the first of those, because you know how I am with Houston and the rest of the mid-major teams who people thought were really better than they were *cough* Boise *cough*. Meter: One, nothing to worry about for the Longhorns.
#8 Oklahoma v.s. Cincinatti: Week 4, and there's still so many questions. Oklahoma killed Florida State a couple of weeks ago. I saw how Air Force played against BYU, and I thought this team had a chance to take out the Sooners. They nearly did, losing only 27-24. Was it the Falcons, or are the Sooners more half and half with their face than Harvey Dent? Cincinatti on the other hand keeps running through my mind as the team that just got beat into the ground by NC State, so I give the Sooners the benefit of the doubt. Meter: Two, but you never know.
#9 Florida v.s. Kentucky: As much as I want to say the horrible first quarter starts and the never kept up tempo will end, I don't think it will enough for Florida to pull away, seeing as Kentucky has scored on it's first possession of every game so far. Randall Cobb is a beast at wideout and I wouldn't write off the Wildcats, more for the fact that Florida still hasn't been overly impressive than the fact that Kentucky has looked amazing. I say this could be a close one till lat, sort of like UF's game with Tennessee, but this one could be tougher. Meter: A three, so keep an eye out.
#14 Arizona v.s. Cal: In case you were wondering, I did not put the S.Carolina-Auburn game down, because I find those teams too evenly matched. Any way, with Arizona, their coming of a HUGE win, which could give them good momentum, or could end up being the death of them. Cal is a bit above decent, but if Arizona loses to the Hawkeyes, every one thinks this is a really close match-up. I give Cal a serious chance in this one, though I think Nick Foles has other ideas. Meter: Four. Watch out
#15 LSU v.s. West Virginia: Well, last week I picked both of these teams to lose, and that didn't turn out so well. This week, I know one of them will lose. LSU has the athleticism, but Jordan Jefferson still is a bit too "off and on" for my liking. West Virginia reminds me a bit of LSU in how they are in all face of the game. They both have killing speed and multi-purpose QB's, but who to pick? I'll say LSU, because I give their defense a better chance of limiting the other's offense. Meter: Another four, because this would barely be an upset.
#16 Stanford v.s. Notre Dame: I had to fight myself to even put this on here. If Stanford keeps rolling like this, I do believe besides Oregon their the best in the Pac 10. And Notre Dame, well, Lou Holtz may be the only person in the world picking them, but I'll throw them in there. I don't think their a bad team, just an always over-rated, over-talked, over-analyzed, over-hyped program nowadays. Brian Kelly is a good coach, and this won't be his best year here, I know that, but for now Notre Dame will lose more than a bit, and I'm it looks like his is one of those losses. Meter: One, but a glimpse of hope.
#19 Miami v.s. Pitt: Can I sell any one on this one? It's no longer all about the U, but I still think they can pull themselves together and win the ACC, of course that's not saying much any more. But Pittsburgh isn't exactly going to lay-over for the 'Canes, and Miami is coming off a crushing defeat. All put together, I think Randy Shannon will get plenty of sleep after this one. Meter: Another two. 10 point game with a chance for it being closer
#20 Michigan v.s. Bowling Green: Yes you took a double-take, opened your eyes wider and tried to describe what you just saw, but Michigan is on this list. Not a whole lot of people seemed to notice Michigan's near loss to UMASS Saturday. The had struggles on defense throughout, and even though Denard Robinson is still the talk of college football players, if you score over 40 points and almost lose, you know you have problems on D. 'm not saying Bowling Green has that great of an offense or that I think they'll win, but they have a chance, so they make the list. Meter: Two
#24 Penn State v.s. Temple: Yes, Temple is 3-0. Yes, Bernard Pierce is one of the best backs in the country, and, yes, I think Temple will beat Penn State. Call me what you'd like, but this is an upset I can see clearly happening, without looking through Joe Pa's thick-rimmed squares. As much as I love the legend, his squad wasn't overly convincing in beating Kent State, and the week before was a disaster, so I'll take Temple in OT. Meter: 5
1. #1 Alabama v.s. #10 Arkansas: As much as Mallett impresses me and I think their formerly horrid secondary looks improved along with the rest of the D, were not in Georgia any more Razorback fans. This is the number one team in the nation, and for a bunch of reasons. They have too good of a front five, too much talent in their running game, and too much of a lot of other things for Arkansas to beat them. It will be a test for the Bama D, but not enough to mark a one in the loss column. Meter: 2, giving Pig Sooey a slight chance.
#3 Boise State v.s. #24 Oregon State: It may be hard for a lot of people to pick against Boise, because they want to see that BCS buster and all the controversy with it. For me, I'd rather see the Beavers hand the Broncos a a-whoopin and end all the fuss. Do think that will happen? Probably not. Jaquizz and James Rodgers may have something to say about that, and I hope they do, but for some reason I see Boise St. barely pulling this one out, causing the talk to persist. Meter: A three, but my heart says five.
#4 TCU v.s. SMU: I don't think many have this on their upset radar, but I add this to the fact that SMU puts up some points. Then again, Andy Dalton and the Horned Frogs can do some damage themselves, and I don't think SMU's defense is quite ready for this caliber. I do like the offense that June Jones has assembled (Reminds a bit of his days in Hawaii with Colt Brennan), but I think coach Patterson shouldn't have a whole lot to worry about in this one. Meter: One
#5 Oregon v.s. Arizona State: This contest I almost didn't put on there, but I'll throw it in there for the fact it's a Pac 10 game, and not the fact the Sun Devils almost beat Wisconsin, because Wisconsin is as over-rated as they come (Sorry Badger fans). Following their close game, AZ State might feel a bit better about themselves, but I'm not sur how long that will last come this weekend. Oregon has an explosive, even though that may not describe it well enough, offense. Their defense is over-looked a bit, but they have a strong one. Overall, there's too much talent for the Sun Devils to try to make up for. Meter: Two, with it hopefully not being a runaway.
#7 Texas v.s. UCLA- This is almost like disrespecting Texas' program, but I still have my questions, even after their victory over Tech last Saturday. Yes it's UCLA, the epitimy of questions right now, but giving were not sue which Bruins team will show up, I put this game on the list. Will it be the UCLA that looked atrocious against Stanford, or the UCLA that beat top 25 Houston last week. I think if I were to guess, I would say a bit more like the first of those, because you know how I am with Houston and the rest of the mid-major teams who people thought were really better than they were *cough* Boise *cough*. Meter: One, nothing to worry about for the Longhorns.
#8 Oklahoma v.s. Cincinatti: Week 4, and there's still so many questions. Oklahoma killed Florida State a couple of weeks ago. I saw how Air Force played against BYU, and I thought this team had a chance to take out the Sooners. They nearly did, losing only 27-24. Was it the Falcons, or are the Sooners more half and half with their face than Harvey Dent? Cincinatti on the other hand keeps running through my mind as the team that just got beat into the ground by NC State, so I give the Sooners the benefit of the doubt. Meter: Two, but you never know.
#9 Florida v.s. Kentucky: As much as I want to say the horrible first quarter starts and the never kept up tempo will end, I don't think it will enough for Florida to pull away, seeing as Kentucky has scored on it's first possession of every game so far. Randall Cobb is a beast at wideout and I wouldn't write off the Wildcats, more for the fact that Florida still hasn't been overly impressive than the fact that Kentucky has looked amazing. I say this could be a close one till lat, sort of like UF's game with Tennessee, but this one could be tougher. Meter: A three, so keep an eye out.
#14 Arizona v.s. Cal: In case you were wondering, I did not put the S.Carolina-Auburn game down, because I find those teams too evenly matched. Any way, with Arizona, their coming of a HUGE win, which could give them good momentum, or could end up being the death of them. Cal is a bit above decent, but if Arizona loses to the Hawkeyes, every one thinks this is a really close match-up. I give Cal a serious chance in this one, though I think Nick Foles has other ideas. Meter: Four. Watch out
#15 LSU v.s. West Virginia: Well, last week I picked both of these teams to lose, and that didn't turn out so well. This week, I know one of them will lose. LSU has the athleticism, but Jordan Jefferson still is a bit too "off and on" for my liking. West Virginia reminds me a bit of LSU in how they are in all face of the game. They both have killing speed and multi-purpose QB's, but who to pick? I'll say LSU, because I give their defense a better chance of limiting the other's offense. Meter: Another four, because this would barely be an upset.
#16 Stanford v.s. Notre Dame: I had to fight myself to even put this on here. If Stanford keeps rolling like this, I do believe besides Oregon their the best in the Pac 10. And Notre Dame, well, Lou Holtz may be the only person in the world picking them, but I'll throw them in there. I don't think their a bad team, just an always over-rated, over-talked, over-analyzed, over-hyped program nowadays. Brian Kelly is a good coach, and this won't be his best year here, I know that, but for now Notre Dame will lose more than a bit, and I'm it looks like his is one of those losses. Meter: One, but a glimpse of hope.
#19 Miami v.s. Pitt: Can I sell any one on this one? It's no longer all about the U, but I still think they can pull themselves together and win the ACC, of course that's not saying much any more. But Pittsburgh isn't exactly going to lay-over for the 'Canes, and Miami is coming off a crushing defeat. All put together, I think Randy Shannon will get plenty of sleep after this one. Meter: Another two. 10 point game with a chance for it being closer
#20 Michigan v.s. Bowling Green: Yes you took a double-take, opened your eyes wider and tried to describe what you just saw, but Michigan is on this list. Not a whole lot of people seemed to notice Michigan's near loss to UMASS Saturday. The had struggles on defense throughout, and even though Denard Robinson is still the talk of college football players, if you score over 40 points and almost lose, you know you have problems on D. 'm not saying Bowling Green has that great of an offense or that I think they'll win, but they have a chance, so they make the list. Meter: Two
#24 Penn State v.s. Temple: Yes, Temple is 3-0. Yes, Bernard Pierce is one of the best backs in the country, and, yes, I think Temple will beat Penn State. Call me what you'd like, but this is an upset I can see clearly happening, without looking through Joe Pa's thick-rimmed squares. As much as I love the legend, his squad wasn't overly convincing in beating Kent State, and the week before was a disaster, so I'll take Temple in OT. Meter: 5
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