Group of Five Upset Alert 2017: 5 threats to dish out Week 3 upsets

Middle Tennessee heads to Minneapolis this weekend as a 10.5-point underdog against Minnesota. But the Golden Gophers would be foolish to discount the threat presented by the Blue Raiders. Last weekend, Rick Stockstill’s team dropped Syracuse 30-23 at the Carrier Dome. It was a comprehensive victory, as the Blue Raiders defense contained Orange quarterback Eric Dungey for just 233 total yards on 42 passes and 19 carries.

The trip to Minnesota marks the third straight week that Middle Tennessee will face Power Five opponents.It was one of the most ambitious non-conference schedules among Group of Five teams, and it could pay big dividends later in the year if the Blue Raiders are still in the C-USA hunt.

Prior to the win over Syracuse, the Blue Raiders fell 28-6 at home to Vanderbilt. After taking on SEC and ACC opponents, they now turn their sights upon the Big Ten. If Middle Tennessee can go 2-1 against the Power Five before Conference USA play, they’d be right in the thick of the discussion for the automatic bid in a New Year’s Six game.

Minnesota will drop from the ranks of the unbeaten this weekend. Caught looking ahead to the Maryland game on September 23, the Golden Gophers will fall in the trap as Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill throws for 300 yards and three touchdowns in a close upset victory.