Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Upset Watch: Possible Week 12 Mid-Major and FCS Upsets

By Zach Bigalke

Oct 29, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars defensive end Nick Thurman (91) celebrates after a defensive play during the fourth quarter against the Central Florida Knights at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars defensive end Nick Thurman (91) celebrates after a defensive play during the fourth quarter against the Central Florida Knights at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 10
Next
Sep 3, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; Western Carolina Catamounts running back Detrez Newsome (21) scores a touchdown on a run during the second quarter against the East Carolina Pirates at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; Western Carolina Catamounts running back Detrez Newsome (21) scores a touchdown on a run during the second quarter against the East Carolina Pirates at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

FCS Western Carolina at South Carolina (Saturday/4:00 pm)

South Carolina has little to fear this week in the way of an upset, as the 5-5 Gamecocks take on an FCS team that is just 2-8 so far on the season. The Catamounts field one of the weakest defenses at the I-AA level, allowing more than five touchdowns per game against largely lower-division opponents. Even an offense as abysmal as the one that South Carolina puts on the field (18.0 points per game) should be able to score against Western Carolina.

For the Catamounts to have any chance in Columbia on Saturday, they will need quarterback Tyrie Adams to be nearly perfect and the defense will need to find a resolve it has lacked all season. Western Carolina should at least be able to manage the field position battle thanks to punter Ian Berryman and return man Logan Howard. If they can flip the field for 60 minutes, the Catamounts’ chances of an upset will go from none to slim.

Home/College Football News