College Football Upset Watch: Week 11

Story posted November 13, 2020 in CommRadio, Sports by Matthew McLaughlin

Week 10 of the College Football season saw the No.1 Clemson Tigers and the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs suffer huge upsets late in the season. While this week’s slate doesn’t stand out, these three teams should be on upset alert.

No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-0)

Opponent: Boston College Eagles (5-3)

Although the Fighting Irish defeated the aforementioned Tigers, Trevor Lawrence’s absence and running back Travis Etienne’s poor performance of only 28 rushing yards were huge factors in that game. This week, they face a tough Boston College squad hungry for an upset after blowing a double-digit lead in a loss to the same Clemson team.

Notre Dame’s offense will always be the biggest wild card in every game they play, and while Ian Book stepped up against the Tigers, the offensive unit for the Fighting Irish has been inconsistent this entire season.

In addition, Eagles quarterback Phil Jurkovec is coming off one of his most complete performances of the season against Syracuse, finishing with 208 yards and a touchdown while completing 69 percent of his passes and taking no sacks.

If Jurkovec limits the turnovers and gets a clean pocket, Boston College’s offense will put up points in a hurry and could crush Notre Dame’s hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff.

No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers (1-0)

Opponent: Michigan Wolverines (1-2)

Although Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines are struggling to start the season, this is the first game for the Badgers in three weeks after an outbreak within the program forced their last two games to be cancelled, which is why Michigan could pull off a huge upset.

Both offenses are averaging 430 yards per game, but Wisconsin’s defense has been stifling passing attacks by allowing only 87 yards per game, which will be the biggest factor in who wins this game.

Both offenses have succeeded in pounding the rock, but the air attacks will be critical. While Wisconsin has the better quarterback in Graham Mertz, his status for the game is still in question and the Badgers’ layoff could lead to turnovers and other mistakes that Michigan will take advantage of in order to win this game.

No. 11 Oregon Ducks (1-0)

Opponent: Washington State Cougars (1-0)

Despite the end of the Mike Leach era in Pullman, the offensive unit of the Cougars remains as potent as ever. The Cougars are averaging 38 points and 456 total yards on offense per game.

With Leach taking his signature Air-Raid-style offense to Mississippi State, the Cougars have relied on a balanced approach, which has led to major success in the early part of their season. Last week against Oregon State, Washington State passed for 227 yards and rushed for 229 yards, which as balanced as you can get in the Pac-12.

Washington State’s potent offense combined with Oregon’s poor rushing defense that allowed 197 yards in their opener against Stanford sets this game up to be a wild offensive explosion that may upset Oregon fans.

Matthew McLaughlin is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mem6936@psu.edu.