Upset Alert: 5 college football teams on upset alert in Week 10

Sep 27, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) is pressured by Northwestern Wildcats defensive lineman Ifeadi Odenigbo (7) in the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State at No. 21 Northwestern – Sat, Nov 7, 12:00 PM ET

Point Spread: NU -2.5

The Northwestern Wildcats are coming off their bye week after escaping with a two-point win against Nebraska on Nov. 24. Prior to that Pat Fitzgerald’s team was outscored 78-10 in back-to-back losses to Michigan and Iowa, but I’m not sure if a win over a 3-6 Nebraska team is enough to get this team back on track after a nice September.

Penn State, meanwhile, is coming off their best game of the year in a 39-0 win over Illinois and need this win with remaining games against Michigan and Michigan State to close the year.

Christian Hackenberg has thrown for 581 yards and five touchdowns in the last two games and is slowly but surely getting comfortable in this offense and with his weapons around him. He hasn’t thrown an interception in six straight games and only has two on the year.

I think Hackenberg and a salty Nittany Lions defense led by All-American candidate Carl Nassib is enough for Penn State to come away with the road win and pull off the upset against the Cats.

Next: TCU