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Week 1 Upset Alert

Last year it was Jacksonville State shocking Ole Miss. Who will be upset in week 1 this year?

10 Potential Week 1 Upsets

Each season a big upset shocks the college football world in week one. In the last few years we've seen Appalachian State end the national championship hopes of Michigan, BYU take out Oklahoma, and Jacksonville State shock Ole Miss in week one. We take a look at 10 games that could result in an upset during the first week of the season. These aren't predictions that upsets will occur, but games you should keep an eye on if you love the early season stunner.

1. TCU at Baylor- TCU hasn't lost a game since the 2010 Fiesta Bowl against Boise State. The Horned Frogs are in the top 15 in both polls and have a 13 game win streak. Baylor is coming off a 7-6 season, but returns 9 starters on offense including possibly the Big XII's best athlete in Robert Griffin. The game is in Waco and with a new starting QB and only 3 starters back on offense, the Horned Frogs could be in trouble.

2. Northern Iowa at Iowa State- FCS teams don't typically fair well against FBS schools, but there are always a few FCS teams that pull off an upset each year. Northern Iowa is a strong FCS school and has actually won 3 of the last 9 in this instate rivalry. In 2007 NIU won 24-13 in Aimes. NIU nearly knocked off a much better Iowa team in 2009 and will once again play an instate rival tough.

3. Troy at Clemson- Clemson is starting a new QB in Tajh Boyd who didn't produce well in a backup role a year ago. The Tigers are also installing a fast paced offense under new offensive coordinator Chad Morris(at Tulsa in 2010). Troy has been only had 1 losing season since 2003 and typically has one game each year against a BCS Conference school where they nearly pull off the upset. Last year the Trojans lost to Oklahoma State 41-38 and in 2008 they gave LSU a scare. The Trojans have proven they can put up plenty of points against SEC teams in the past, if Clemson's new offense isn't clicking the Trojans could do so in Death Valley.

4. Richmond at Duke- Duke is the favorite in this game, but this certainly isn't an automatic win for the Blue Devils. The Spiders actually beat Duke in 2006 and in 2009. Richmond is a FCS power and Duke is a lower tier FBS school. Don't be shocked to see the Spiders win 3 straight over the Blue Devils.

5. Fresno State vs California(at SF)- Fresno State has a very good history beating BCS Conference schools in openers. Since 2001 Fresno is 4-2 against BCS Conference schools in openers, the 2 losses were against Wisconsin(by 2) and Tennessee(24-6). Pat Hill's teams typically play PAC 12 schools tough and with this game being at a neutral site expect another close game for the Bulldogs.

6. South Florida at Notre Dame- Both teams were 8-5 a season ago, but the Irish enter this game ranked #16 in the AP poll and many believe this is Notre Dame's best chance at a BCS since 2006. USF is led by Skip Holtz, who was once offensive coordinator for the Irish. BJ Daniels is a 3rd year starter and the Irish QB position has some questions surrounding it even though Crist has been announced the starter.

7. Marshall at West Virginia- Year one for Doc Holliday saw the Thundering Herd finish the year 5-7. WVU enters this game ranked #24 in the AP Poll and a heavy favorite against their instate rivals. A season ago Marshall nearly knocked off WVU, but the Mountaineers had a late comeback and won in overtime 24-21. WVU has a new coach and game one for any first time head coach can be tough, especially in a rivalry game.

8. Wake Forest at Syracuse- The Orange appear to be headed on the right track after their best season since 2001, but could their opener be spoiled by Wake Forest? Jim Grobe teams are typically very good when they are experienced and this is a veteran Demon Deacon team. 17 starters are back for Grobe and Wake will be one of the nation's most improved teams in 2011.

9. Miami of Ohio at Missouri- Historically Miami has always been one of the best Non BCS conference programs. The Redhawks are coming off a 10 win season and return 17 starters from last year's team. Missouri will be starting a new QB after Blaine Gabbert went to the NFL following last season. New QB against a hungry group from Oxford could result in an upset.

10. BYU at Ole Miss- Last year the Rebels we upset victims in week 1 as the Jacksonville State Gamecocks won in Oxford. Despite last year's opening loss Ole Miss has won over 70% of its games against teams from Non BCS conferences. BYU had a disapointing 7-6 season a year ago, but returns 10 starters on offense and could put some points on the board against Tyrone Nix's defense. With Randall Mackey being suspended for this game and the QB position still very questionable the Rebels might not be able to keep up with the Cougars offense.
Matt Barber
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