Many great things in the world come in six-pack form – why not upset picks in college football? Because of that and more, KP is sitting a six-pack of his favorite “upset brew” in front of himself every Saturday going forward. For every game he gets right, he cracks one open – OK, so he might do so anyway, but let’s keep that one on the down low.
Here’s his 12-pack of games for Week Seven – a skunky six-pack that he’s avoiding and the six-pack of “Upset Brew” that he’s promoting. Only time will tell as to whether you think he’s nuts, or we’re both drinkin’ the same Kool-Aid. Either way, bottoms up! * **
The Skunky Six – Not touchin’ ‘em with a ten-foot pole Oklahoma –7 vs. Texas Sam Bradford has been off the charts, and I see him slicing and dicing Texas and their 98th ranked pass defense.
North Carolina –7.5 vs. Notre Dame KP has the Domers hanging in there throughout, but he likes Carolina’s weapons too much to pick against them – especially the all-purpose dynamo Brandon Tate.
East Carolina –6 at Virginia I’m not falling for Virginia’s 31-0 shutout win over Maryland. The Terps are bipolar, beating ranked teams over back-to-back weeks, while falling to Middle Tennessee State and the Cavs.
South Carolina –1.5 at Kentucky Spurrier’s offense hasn’t impressed me – though his defense has. The ‘Cats gave ‘Bama a battle, and I picture a 9-6 yawner in this game – maybe even 3-2 with a walk-off homer.
Auburn –18.5 vs. Arkansas I know everyone is trashing the Tigers for their lackluster offense, but let’s remember this is an Arkansas team that nearly lost to Western Illinois and ULM. Missouri –14 vs. Oklahoma State I know the Zou’s defense has struggled at times, and the Cowboys have played well under the man who was 40 last year. Still, this is Chase Daniel, Heisman candidate – at home.
Upset Brew – Six potential upsets for Week Seven
Wake Forest –3 vs. Clemson Both teams had bye weeks, giving each time to lick their wounds after tough losses (Clemson to Maryland and Wake to Navy). The Tigers, while again underachieving under Coach Bowden, present a number of offensive headaches for the Demon Deacons. Clemson blew out Wake last year 44-10, and this year’s team will prevail again – in a nail biter and a minor upset. Michigan State –2.5 at Northwestern There’s one thing we know about the Spartans – they live and die by the offense generated by RB Javon Ringer. Ringer will get his usual heavy workload, but Northwestern’s rush defense has been better than respectable – 35th in the nation to be exact. The ‘Cats will throw everything including the kitchen sink at Ringer and the Spartans running game, and coupled with C.J. Bacher and Tyrell Sutton on offense, I see Northwestern knocking off a Michigan State team that always seems to fold midseason onward.
Kansas –14 vs. Colorado It took everything Kansas had to make a second half charge to beat Iowa State last week. This week, the Jayhawks face a Colorado team that is desperately seeking a bounce back game after losing the last two weeks to Florida State and Texas. The Buffs have given a better Kansas team a tight battle the last two seasons, and this year, Cody Hawkins and the boys break through in a shocker.
Miami –17 vs. Central Florida Last week, the Hurricanes were ranked 106th in total offense, which is abysmal, even after facing better teams like Florida, North Carolina, and Florida State. Robert Marve and this young Miami team needs more time to grow within the system. George O’Leary and the Knights are no slouch – they gave South Florida all they could handle in an OT thriller. UCF and their talented secondary give Marve headaches all day long – in an upset win.
Iowa –6 at Indiana Iowa may sport the 19th ranked rush defense in the nation, but they haven’t faced a versatile weapon like Indiana’s Kellen Lewis. The Hoosiers QB can run and throw, and should present a variety of headaches for the Hawkeyes. Iowa hasn’t won more than seven games since 2004, including losing back-to-back seasons to Indiana. Make that three.
Florida –6 vs. LSU While KP feels for his Gator friends regarding this pick – and expects a smack down, it’s the headliner that had to be taken. Some may call it a tossup, but the Gators are favored by nearly a touchdown while playing at home in the Swamp. Percy Harvin may or may not play due to injury, and Tebow hasn’t quite been his lights out self this season. Somehow, some way, Les Miles manages to find ways to win, with ballsy fourth down calls (including 5 for 5 last year against the Gators), and so on. Urban has lost once at home already this year, and this weekend makes two.
To recap, this week’s Upset Brew Six-Pack: Clemson, Northwestern, Colorado, Central Florida, Indiana, and LSU
Pick a six-pack yourself – winner gets props next week.
Until next week, have a cold one on KP.
* Stats from Week 6 ** Spreads taken from USA Today website
NOTE: I posted this prior to the Clemson-Wake Forest game, but had issues with the post itself and had to repost it. If I was sneaky, I could have added a different game in there, but I had Clemson on my list as an upset - and wanted to leave it there, incorrect or not. Tonight, Wake came back in the fourth quarter to defeat the Tigers 12-7.
Anyway, just a note due to the timestamp that now exists on this piece.
- KP
Iowa at Indiana who cares besides well Iowa and Indiana. Auburn will BEAT the razorbacks. Mizzou and OKie-State will be a shoot out and this may be the "upset" of the week.
Nutria Dame stucks, stinks, blows and is basically a huge pile of vomit on the road to sobriety.
OU will beat Texas like a red-headed step child named Ahmed.
LSu Florida; lets see I pick LSU. I also predict all the stories about Harvin are just that "stories." He will play and there is nothing wrong with the kid.
LSU will run, run, run right at UF. But it will be a very close game.
BAYOU,
Thanks...
You know, when I posted this, I said the same thing to Lisa... I said that I bet I get a "who cares" comment about the IU-Iowa game. Still, picking six upsets isn't easy, and that was one of the ones that jumped out at me as a possibility. Hey, at least it isn't like Florida International, or Middle Tennessee or a school not known for football... though IU is known for b-ball, you know what? Nevermind. =)
LISA,
Yeah he pretty much didn't really hide how he felt about them, huh?
ED,
I thought you might stop by, being the IU fan and all. I believe the Hoosiers can win that game... they will need a big game from their main weapon - KL.
VOICEOFTREASON,
We'll see... I can guarantee there will be a few upsets this weekend. If it happens to be one of mine, that would be pretty sweet. I feel pretty good about some of these picks, but it was a challenge to pick six.
REV,
So do you know where he lives? It was be kind of ironic if he lived in a rural area.
By the way, I would recommend 2-ply Charmin Ultra Soft.
Hmm, if there's any of that leftover, please don't stop by my place just because I picked the Tigers.
REV,
And how observant you are!!
Yeah, I'm not touching that game to be honest. It's tough to play at Camp Randall, especially at night, and the Badgers have to be ticked after losing back-to-back games. It's going to be interesting to see how they respond... I think they'll be ready to play and it should be a great game...
HUSKER,
Well... Big Ten certainly isn't the strongest conference, but OSU and Michigan State are no slouch... they aren't the cream of the crop either. Any team can lose in CFB... if you turn the ball over and get sloppy.
NBAISTHEWORST,
Yep, I got smoked this week... figures, the first time I write it up... previous two weeks I was picking some of these and doing well and thought... why not.